Uncertainty over fate of abducted former lawmaker 6 days after

By Christopher Oji

There is uncertainty over the fate of former lawmaker, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi, who was abducted last week from her church in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Five days after the kidnapping, her abductors are yet to send messages to either her family or the state government.

Following the silence of the abductors of Onyemaechi, a former House of Representatives member, her community, Ubulu-Uku, in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, has been in mourning mood and several prayer sessions have been organised for her release, as security agencies are yet to make any arrest or even know her whereabouts.

A family source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, as he was not supposed to speak to the press, said, “We have not heard from her abductors. We were thinking that it was a kidnapping-for-ransom case, but we are becoming worried because, five days since our sister’s disappearance, the abductors have not sent a message to either us or the government. The police and other security agencies are yet to detect where she is.

“We are anxious to receive her back home. We are pleading with those who abducted her to remember that she has little children and that she has a family. We are expecting her home soon.

“We are tired of the disturbing news we read online that her body has been found, but the police have refuted the story. We are praying that God will touch the hearts of her abductors to release her so that she will continue with the good works she is doing.”

He appealed to the Delta, Anambra and Bayelsa state governments to liaise and form a joint security team to search for her.

Meanwhile, a police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak with the press said, “The way and modus operandi of her abductors showed it was a highly organised crime. The brigands stormed the church, killed her security aides, moved her to the riverside, where they set ablaze the SUV they came in so they would leave no trace. Another hurdle for us is that they didn’t go with her phone, so we don’t know who to contact. Anyway, we are doing our best. We are investigating.”

However, Delta State Police Command has refuted online publications, which went viral, that the body of Onyemaechi, popularly called Ada Anioma, a former member of the House of Representatives, Delta State House of Assembly, and an ex-commissioner, had been found.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, told Daily Sun that the news of her murder was false and her abductors had not made any contact since they forcefully took her from her church premises and killed two police aides attached to her.