Gunmen Hijack Vehicles, Abduct Family of Human Rights Activist, Emeka Umeagbalasi

Prominent human rights activist Emeka Umeagbalasi, chairman of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), and his family were attacked by gunmen in Anambra State.

EKO HOT BLOG reports Umeagbalasi reported that the first assault occurred on November 27, when gunmen opened fire and forcibly took his Mitsubishi Hilux truck from his driver, Comrade Chike Umeh.

While the vehicle was initially recovered, it was stolen again by the same gunmen, who demanded a ransom of N250,000 for its release and the continuation of a family funeral in peace.

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The gunmen, after taking the vehicle for a second time near the Ezinifite Roundabout in Aguata Local Government Area, forcibly removed Umeagbalasi’s wife, Blessing, their 4-year-old son Chimdiebube, their 13-year-old housemaid Somtochukwu Okafor, and the driver Umeh, 55, at gunpoint.

Reports indicate that on the same day, the gunmen hijacked several other vehicles, including a Prado SUV, and abducted their occupants. They held nine communities in the area under siege for more than eight hours.

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The incident was reported to the Ekwulobia Police Division, and the Anambra State Police Command later confirmed the recovery of the stolen blue Hilux truck. Intersociety has since written to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, requesting the return of the stolen vehicle and other personal belongings.

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