Imo Police Launches Rescue Mission for Abducted Former Lawmaker, Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, Vows to Capture Kidnappers
The tension in Imo State is palpable. The atmosphere across Okigwe, Onuimo, and the surrounding local government areas is thick with anxiety as residents anxiously follow every development in the unfolding case of the abduction of Hon. Ngozi Ogbu — a respected former member of the Imo State House of Assembly.
Ogbu, who represented the Okigwe State Constituency during his tenure, was kidnapped on September 7, 2025, by gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). A viral video surfaced shortly after the incident, showing the visibly frightened lawmaker pleading for his life and calling on state authorities to intervene.
What began as a shocking act of criminality has since spiraled into a full-scale security operation that has gripped the state — and by extension, the nation.
According to preliminary police reports, Hon. Ogbu was abducted near Onuimo, a semi-rural area that has witnessed several violent incidents in recent years. Sources within the local community said he was traveling in a private vehicle when he was ambushed. Eyewitnesses described a convoy of armed men who blocked the road, forcing the lawmaker’s vehicle to a halt.
“The whole thing happened so fast,” said one trader at a nearby market who asked to remain anonymous. “We just heard gunshots, people started running, and when we came back, we saw that Ogbu’s car had been abandoned. That was when we knew something terrible had happened.”
Within hours, videos of the abducted lawmaker began circulating on WhatsApp and Facebook, sparking fear and anger among residents. In the clip, Ogbu is seen sitting on the ground, surrounded by armed men in masks, pleading with family, friends, and state authorities to do whatever was necessary to secure his release.
The Imo State Police Command did not waste time in responding. On September 14, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Henry Okoye released a statement confirming the abduction and announcing that a full-scale rescue operation had been launched.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Tactical Units,” the statement read. “They are working in collaboration with other security agencies to track down the suspects and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted lawmaker. A thorough investigation is already underway.”
The Command has also called for public cooperation, urging anyone with relevant information to come forward and report through the nearest police station or via the emergency hotline.
The alleged involvement of IPOB/ESN adds a complicated layer to the case. IPOB, led by detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, has been banned by the Nigerian government and designated a terrorist organization. ESN, its paramilitary wing, has been accused of a series of attacks on police stations, security checkpoints, and government officials across the South-East.
Security analysts say the kidnapping of a former lawmaker could signal an escalation in tactics by armed separatists.
“This is not just about ransom anymore,” said Dr. Chukwuemeka Mordi, a political analyst and lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. “Targeting a former legislator sends a political message — it’s about asserting control, sowing fear, and undermining state authority.”
Residents of Okigwe and surrounding communities are living in fear. Many have reduced their movements, and several markets were reportedly half-empty in the days following Ogbu’s abduction.
“This is the worst we’ve seen in a while,” said Mrs. Chioma Nwachukwu, a community leader in Okigwe. “If someone as prominent as Hon. Ogbu can be kidnapped in broad daylight, then no one is safe.”
Parents are keeping children indoors, and churches have reportedly shortened evening services to allow members to return home before dark.
Hon. Ngozi Ogbu is not just any politician. During his time in the House of Assembly, he was known as a vocal advocate for rural development and youth empowerment in Okigwe. He sponsored several motions that focused on education, health care, and infrastructural development in his constituency.
Friends and associates describe him as approachable and deeply connected to grassroots politics.
“He was one of the few who still came back to sit with us after leaving office,” said Uchenna Dike, a youth leader in Okigwe. “That is why this kidnapping hurts so much. This is someone who has always stood for the community.”
The abduction of Ogbu highlights a broader security challenge in Imo State. Over the last three years, the state has witnessed a troubling rise in violent crimes, including targeted assassinations, abductions, and attacks on security formations.
Governor Hope Uzodimma has repeatedly promised to restore law and order, deploying security forces and launching joint task force operations. However, critics argue that the approach has often been heavy-handed, leading to civilian casualties and worsening distrust between locals and security agencies.
“Security cannot just be about using force,” said activist and human rights lawyer, Ifeanyi Ude. “The government must invest in intelligence gathering, community policing, and addressing the root causes of insecurity, including unemployment and political alienation.”
Civil society groups and professional associations have condemned the abduction and called for urgent action. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch, issued a statement describing the kidnapping as “a direct assault on democracy.”
“This is a former legislator,” the statement read. “An attack on him is an attack on the democratic process itself. We call on security agencies to act swiftly but within the bounds of the law.”
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Imo chapter, has also called for prayer and urged residents not to lose faith.
Observers note that the case could have political consequences ahead of the 2027 general elections. Okigwe is considered a politically significant area, and Ogbu remains an influential figure.
“If the government fails to rescue him quickly, it will be seen as a sign of weakness,” said analyst Mordi. “That could have implications for the ruling party’s credibility.”
Across Nigeria, the case of Hon. Ogbu has become a trending topic. Hashtags like #FreeOgbuNow and #SaveOkigwe have trended on X (formerly Twitter), with citizens demanding accountability from security agencies and expressing solidarity with the people of Imo State.
Some commentators have drawn parallels to other high-profile kidnappings, including that of Chike Akunyili, husband of late Dora Akunyili, who was brutally murdered in 2021 in a similarly tense security climate.
As of press time, the police rescue operation remains ongoing. Multiple checkpoints have been set up around Onuimo, and unconfirmed reports suggest that several suspects have already been arrested for questioning.
Security experts warn that the next 72 hours are critical.
“The window for a safe rescue narrows the longer the victim remains in captivity,” said retired police commissioner Chris Omeje. “The focus must be on intelligence-driven operations to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.”
DSP Henry Okoye has reassured the public that every effort is being made to secure Ogbu’s release.
“We are leaving no stone unturned,” he said. “Our Tactical Units are working round the clock, and we call on the public to cooperate with us.”
Beyond the rescue operation, many are asking deeper questions: How did armed groups become so emboldened in the first place? What does the rise in kidnappings say about the state’s ability to protect its citizens?
These questions are not unique to Imo. Across Nigeria, kidnapping for ransom has become a national crisis, affecting farmers, students, clergy, and now even former lawmakers.
Analysts say a long-term solution will require a mix of stronger policing, judicial reforms, economic empowerment, and dialogue with aggrieved groups in the region.
For now, the people of Okigwe can only wait, pray, and hope that Hon. Ngozi Ogbu will return safely — and that his case will mark a turning point in the fight against insecurity in Imo State.
Source: LIB