The Ebonyi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Igboayaka Igboayaka, dismissing earlier reports that he was abducted by gunmen.
Igboayaka was reportedly taken from his residence at Works Layout in Owerri, Imo State, at about 7:00 p.m. on Saturday by seven armed men dressed in black. Witnesses said the assailants arrived in a Sienna and a Lexus SUV, forcefully taking him away.
The incident raised concerns, with the President of the Igbo National Council (INC), Chilos Godsent, condemning the development and calling for urgent action to secure his release.
“Since the sad news broke, attempts by members of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, his family, friends, and associates to reach him have been unsuccessful, as all his mobile lines were switched off immediately after the incident,” Godsent said on Sunday, describing how he was taken as a “Neo-Mafia Gestapo manner.”
However, on Monday, Ebonyi State police spokesperson Joshua Ukandu clarified that Igboayaka was arrested, not abducted.
“To set the record straight, Igboayaka Igboayaka was arrested by officers from the command following a petition which accused him of spreading false information capable of truncating peace and destabilising communities in the state,” Ukandu, a deputy superintendent of police, stated. He added that the youth leader would be charged to court after investigations.
The police did not disclose the identity of the petitioner or provide details of the allegations against Igboayaka.
However, there are speculations that his arrest was linked to a petition from Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru as the youth leader had been vocal about recent attacks in the State, and had once accused the Governor of failing to protect residents from herdsmen violence.
When contacted, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Jude Chikadibia, denied any government involvement in the arrest.
“He (Nwifuru) has no link to his (Igboayaka’s) arrest. (The) Office of the Governor is too busy to spare any time on mundane issues,” Chikadibia told Premium Times.
He promised to seek further clarification from the police regarding the circumstances of the arrest.
Meanwhile, Igboayaka’s family, supporters, and the Ohanaeze Youth Council have continued to demand his immediate release.
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