Soludo orders immediate release of abducted lawmaker, aide

Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Okechukwu Okoye, member representing Aguata 2 in the House of Assembly and his campaign director, Cyril Chiegboka.

Gunmen had abducted Okoye and his campaign director on Sunday.

Soludo, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, condemned the abduction and increasing wave of insecurity in Anambra State.

“The governor condemns the spate of insecurity across the state in recent times where innocent citizens have been attacked or killed.

“This is happening at a period when government is already reaching out to critical stakeholders for the restoration of peace and security to the state,” the statement partly read.

The governor said the spike in kidnapping and killing of innocent citizens undermined the sanctity of human lives, adding that no one or group had the right to take human life with such gross impunity.

Soludo, however, expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathised with families of those who had lost their loved ones and property directly or indirectly.

He noted that the state government was doing everything possible in collaboration with security agencies to restore peace and security to the state in accordance with the law.

The Star

Segun Ojo