The police command in Ebonyi State has confirmed that the Ohanaeze Youth President, Igboayaka Igboayaka is currently in its custody.
Recall that on Sunday, CrimeFacts reported how gunmen whisked the Ohaneze youth leader away from his residence at Works Layout in Owerri, Imo State on Saturday night
In the earlier report, Crime Facts elaborated that the recent abduction of Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), by operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command has drawn alarming parallels to the earlier abductions of two other prominent critics of government, Chinonso Uba (popularly known as Nonso Nkwa) and Fabian Ihekweme (Omu).
The trio, all vocal critics of the government, were abducted in strikingly similar circumstances, raising concerns about a possible pattern of repression targeting dissenting voices in the South-East.
In a statement on Monday, the police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu confirmed that the operatives of the command abducted Mr Igboayaka from his Owerri residence.
Mr Ukandu, a superintendent of police said the Ebonyi State Command is aware of the information circulating in the media alleging the abduction of the president of Ohaneze Youth Council, Comr. Igboayaka Igboayaka on February 8, 2025.
In his words, the Ebonyi PPRO stated that Comr. Igboayaka was arrested by officers from the command based on a petition submitted to the commissioner of police, which alleged he disseminated false information capable of truncating peace and destabilizing communities in Ebonyi State.
Hé said the command is currently investigating these allegations, and once the investigation is concluded, he will be charged in court.
“Furthermore, the command reiterates its commitment to carrying out its mandate within the bounds of the law, while respecting the rights of individuals. ”
Like the Human Rights lawyer who was forcedly arrested at his law chambers in Lagos in 2024 by police operatives from far away Ekiti State, Mr Igboayaka was also abducted from his residence in Owerri by policemen attached to Ebonyi command on Saturday night.
Commenting on this, the police spokesperson in Imo, DSP Henry Okoye said the command was never aware of the arrest.
Mr Okoye noted that it’s not right for police officers from another State to carry out an arrest without at least first notifying the command.
