VINCENT UJUMADU FROM VANGUARD
The Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, Anambra State, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, popularly known as Fr. Ebube Muonso, has declared that security in Anambra State has completely broken down.
Fr. Obimma made this statement while presenting Rev. Fr. Nonso to his congregation after the priest’s release from kidnappers a week after being abducted and taken into the forest by gunmen.
Fr. Nonso was kidnapped on December 17 in Anambra State, shortly after returning from overseas for the Christmas holiday.
Narrating the ordeal, Fr. Obimma revealed the challenges he faced in securing the release of the abducted priest:
“For a week, Father Nonso was in the hands of kidnappers. The government could not do anything. I had to use my own resources to rescue him.”
Fr. Obimma explained that he had to reach out to security operatives outside Anambra to track the kidnappers:
“I approached a state outside Anambra and begged them to use their tracker. They tracked him and sent me the full location. When I gave this information to the local security operatives, they asked me, ‘What do you want us to do with it?’ They claimed they don’t usually go into forests.”
Determined to secure Fr. Nonso’s release, Fr. Obimma recounted how he assembled his own team for a rescue operation:
“I told the Chief Security of Adoration to assemble men with cutlasses and guns, and that I would lead the operation myself. It was only when they realized I was serious that the police agreed to intervene — but not without logistics. I had to send them N1 million.”
Fr. Obimma questioned why a state governor, who receives security votes, could not effectively secure the state.
“I called former Governor Willie Obiano and asked where the trackers he bought during his tenure were. He said they are still there. So why weren’t they being used?”
The priest expressed shock that throughout the week Fr. Nonso was held captive, the kidnappers never turned off his phone, knowing full well it could be tracked.
“They knew there was no security in the state. Despite having precise tracker data, security forces refused to act until I personally mobilized resources.”
The visibly emotional Fr. Nonso, leaning on Fr. Obimma, shed tears as he recounted his ordeal. He was rescued alongside a businessman abducted by the same gang on the same day but in a different location.
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