2 weeks after, abducted Delta ex-lawmaker regains freedom
By Christopher Oji
Two weeks after, abductors of ex- lawmaker, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi, who was abducted from her church in Asaba, the Delta State capital has regained her freedom.
There was wild jubilation yesterday (Saturday), when news of Onyemaechi’s freedom from her captors was announced by one of her aides.
The people of Ubulu-Uku her home town had been in mourning since her abduction, offering prayers for her release.
The community which is in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has been in celebratory mood following the release of the former Delta State House of Assembly, House of Representatives member and immediate past Commissioner for Technical Education in Delta State.
A police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity described Onyemaechi’s abduction as an organised crime. He said: “The way and manner of her abduction showed it was a highly organised crime. The brigands stormed the church, killed her security aides, and moved her to the riverside, where they set ablaze the SUV they came in with so that they would leave no trace.”
Meanwhile, Delta State Police Command has confirmed that Onyemaechi, fondly called Adanioma has been released by her abductors.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Bright Edafe confirmed that Onyemaechi was released by her abductors, but did not give details on how it happened.
There was pandemonium penultimate Tuesday evening in Asaba when gunmen abducted Onyemaechi who is also a one time Director-General, Delta State Capital Development Agency.
The gunmen stormed the King Jesus and I Church, along the popular DBS Road in Asaba, where she was worshipping, and shot dead a policeman and her driver in the attack. Two others, including a policeman, were also injured before the victim was taken away.
The abductors shot into the air causing pandemonium as they whisked their victim away.
A community leader in Ubulu-Uku, Mark Okolie, described as impunity the manner by which Onyemaechi was taken.
He appealed to the Delta State Commissioner of Police Olufemi Abaniwonda to rijig the security architecture of the state to prevent gunmen from taking over the state.
