A tricycle operator in Abia State, Mr. Dennis Izuchukwu Okechi, has recounted how he cleverly used the Igbo language to secretly disclose his location to family members while in captivity, leading to the rescue of himself and another kidnap victim from armed bandits.
Okechi and a farmer, Mrs. Onyinyechi Ekechukwu, were reportedly abducted by six armed men while returning from their farm in Umuawa Alaocha, Ohuhu, in Umuahia North Local Government Area. The kidnappers allegedly dragged the victims into a nearby forest, inflicted injuries on them, and demanded a ₦10 million ransom.
Speaking after the ordeal, Okechi revealed that when the kidnappers handed him a phone to contact his family, he switched to Igbo and discreetly informed them that they were being held in the Udengwu forest area. The move reportedly angered the abductors, who threatened to shoot him after suspecting he had exposed their location.
Acting on the information, youths and members of the Umuawa Alaocha community security outfit launched a search operation and successfully traced the victims’ location. The rescue team reportedly stormed the area around midnight, forcing the kidnappers to flee through another route in the forest.
Both victims were rescued alive and later taken for medical attention.
Reacting to the incident, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, condemned the attack and called for increased vigilance and stronger community security measures to tackle the growing threat of kidnapping and banditry in the region.
The incident has drawn praise for the swift response of local security volunteers and community youths, whose efforts helped secure the victims’ freedom before any ransom was paid.
