There was apprehension in Ebonyi State, Thursday evening as a former aide of Governor Dave Umahi was reportedly abducted by gunmen at Okposi, in Ohaozara Local Government Area.
Amos Ogbonnaya was said to have been forced at gunpoint into a white coloured Hilux van, as he made for home after attending the Parents Teachers Association, PTA meeting of Federal Government Secondary School, Okposi.
The latest report indicates that the victim may have regained his freedom, but in what a source describes as “in a physically battered condition”.
There is no information on how and where he was found, even as the police in the State are yet to confirm the reported abduction and release.
There are allegations that the abduction of Ogbonnaya may have been politically masterminded, with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, pointing accusing fingers at government agents.
But both the Ebonyi State Government and the ruling, All Progressives Congress, APC in the State, have denied the accusations, describing the claims of PDP leaders as desperate efforts to rubbish the image of the Governor and the State Government.
It was gathered that Ogbonnaya who is a member of the PDP and the group of other former Development Centre Coordinators, known as the G64 has been very vocal, criticising the State Government over matters of “bad governance”.
Just last week, Amos Ogbonnaya was one of the guests on a programme on AIT, Jisgsaw, where issues relating to governance in Ebonyi State were discussed.
When contacted, the Ebonyi State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, could neither deny nor confirm the incident, insisting that until the matter is officially reported to the police, she has nothing to say.
