In a tragic incident that has shocked the nation, members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), operating under their armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, have executed three fishermen and taken nine others hostage in Anambra State. The attack, which occurred on Sunday in Ogbaru Local Government Area, has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for urgent government intervention.
According to Mr. Sanusi, the victims included 12 males and five females, among whom were two children. The assailants brutally slaughtered three male victims on the spot. The female victims and children were subsequently released, but the nine remaining male fishermen were taken into the forest by the terrorists.
The terrorists have since contacted the families of the captives, demanding a ransom of N20 million for their release. The demand has left the victims' families and the wider community in a state of distress and fear.
“The incident happened on Monday. The farmers were attacked in Ugwaru, under Onitsha, while traveling in an 18-seater bus. The terrorists gruesomely slaughtered three people on the spot. They released the females and children and took the remaining nine males into the forest. Their whereabouts are unknown, but the gunmen have reached out, demanding a ransom of N20 million,” Mr. Sanusi said.
Mr. Sanusi has made a heartfelt appeal to the federal government to intervene and secure the release of the captives. He also called for justice for those who were brutally murdered. “We are therefore appealing to the federal government to intervene and secure the release of the captives and ensure those killed unjustifiably get justice,” he pleaded.
In addition to his appeal to the federal government, Mr. Sanusi expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims and assured them that the state government would take all necessary measures to secure the release of those still in captivity. He reiterated the commitment of the state authorities to use every resource at their disposal to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide relief to the affected families.
One of the fishermen, who managed to escape from the terrorist den, provided further insight into the gruesome events. Speaking anonymously, he described how the terrorists would randomly select victims for execution. “He told us that three people were slaughtered by the terrorists in his presence. They would randomly point to anyone and ask him to come forward to be slaughtered. But to avoid dying in such a miserable manner, he found his way to escape from the terrorist den,” the escapee recounted.
The anonymous source also highlighted the longstanding tradition of fishing in Osamala, a practice handed down from their grandfathers. This adds a cultural dimension to the tragedy, as the attack not only threatens their lives but also their way of life.
Efforts to secure the release of the hostages have been fraught with challenges. According to the anonymous fisherman, one of their contacts requested a substantial sum of N2 million merely to facilitate discussions with the terrorists. This has compounded the desperation of the families, who are already grappling with the ransom demand and the loss of their loved ones.
Attempts to get a response from the Anambra Police Command have been unsuccessful. The spokesman for the command, Ikenganyia Anthony, has not responded to calls or messages seeking his comment on the situation.
The incident has sparked a national outcry, with various stakeholders calling for immediate action. Human rights organizations and community leaders have condemned the actions of the IPOB terrorists and called for swift justice. The broader implications of such incidents on national security and social cohesion cannot be overstated.
The abduction and execution of the fishermen by IPOB terrorists in Anambra State underscore the urgent need for enhanced security measures and government intervention. The demands for a N20 million ransom and the brutal killings have left the community in fear and mourning. As the families of the victims await the government's response, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges of insecurity and the devastating impact on ordinary citizens.
Posts
0 Comments