Controversy has continued to trail the killing of four and the abduction of nine fishermen from the Ibbi local government of Taraba State at the Osama village in the Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State by gunmen.
The nine kidnapped persons were said to have been held hostage by the gunmen after killing the four.
The victims were traveling from Ibbi town in Taraba State to an unspecified location in the River Niger area for their annual fishing activities.
The Anambra State Police Command said it was aware of trending publications of the nine fishermen kidnapped in Anambra State, and the Command would not want to join issues with anyone who invited the relatives of the victims of the incident to come forward and assist them with necessary information.
Its Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, a Superintendent (SP), in a statement yesterday said: “This shall help us to embark on investigations and drive our decision on security deployment and strategy in the state to prevent such reoccurring if it is true.”
It was gathered that relatives of the victims, who spoke to them, said the fishermen left Ibbi last Monday in a 24-seater bus with their family members but were intercepted by the gunmen in Anambra State during the sit-at-home order.
“Four of the fishermen were killed at the spot; nine of them were taken hostage last Monday, and we received calls from some people claiming to be IPOB members demanding ransom for the release of the nine fishermen,” Sule Hussein, a relative of one of the nine abductees said.
“We demanded to speak with any of the nine fishermen to ensure that they were alive, but the callers refused.
“We have not communicated with any of them five days after they were taken into the forest in a remote part of Anambra State. Some people are calling us to pay ransom, but we declined because they refused to connect us with any of those being held to speak with us.
“Our main concern is whether they are alive or dead. That is the answer we are waiting for as we appeal to the Taraba State Government to do something about the incident, all of those being held have wives and children,” Hussein stated.
The Taraba State governor, Agbu Kefas was quoted to have said the state was aware of the incident and has taken action to see that the nine remaining fishermen were rescued alive.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Digital Communications, Mr. Emmanuel Bello, who disclosed this while commenting on the development, said: “The Governor and Government of Taraba State are aware of the situation. The governor is committed to seeing that the people are rescued alive.”
He added: “The Anambra State Command expressed shock that a case of such magnitude trending online does not have any link with any Police Formation in the State and also noted the reactions of some alleged interested parties and persons, but is not discouraged by any comments, assuring its readiness to deploy investigative assets and partner with any concerned body or interest to help for possible rescue.
“The Command reiterated its commitment to delivering on its mandate of the protection of lives and property, urges members of the public, especially the eyewitnesses or otherwise with any useful information in this regard are advised to call the Command Control Room at *07039194332* or the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) at 08039334002, please.”
