Prominent human rights advocate Emeka Umeagbalasi, chairman of the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), and his family were attacked by armed assailants in Anambra State.
Umeagbalasi revealed that the first attack took place on November 27 when gunmen opened fire and forcibly took his Mitsubishi Hilux truck from his driver, Comrade Chike Umeh.
Although the vehicle was later recovered, it was stolen again by the gunmen, who demanded a ransom of N250,000 for its return and to allow the continuation of a family funeral.
The second theft occurred at the Ezinifite Roundabout in Aguata Local Government Area, where the gunmen forced Umeagbalasi’s wife, Blessing, their 4-year-old son, Chimdiebube, their 13-year-old housemaid, Somtochukwu Okafor, and the driver, Umeh, out of the vehicle at gunpoint.
On the same day, the gunmen reportedly hijacked several other vehicles, including a Prado SUV, and abducted their occupants.
Nine communities in the area were reportedly under siege for over eight hours.
The incident was immediately reported to the Ekwulobia Police Division, and the Anambra State Police Command later confirmed the recovery of the stolen blue Hilux truck.
Intersociety has sent a letter to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, requesting the return of the stolen vehicle and other personal belongings taken during the attack.
