There’s palpable fear in the family of Orjis as the safety of their son, Chinedu Joseph Orji can no longer be guaranteed after he went missing about 5 days ago.
Journalist101 gathered that Joseph Orji who works with Uziben Nigeria Limited; a Telecommunications company that manages telecom sites in Nigeria went missing on the 30th of June, 2022 after he was whisked away by hooded gunmen in Ogbogwu community of Ahoada local government in Rivers State.
Local sources told our correspondent that the man was taken away in a black sienna vehicle by gun wielding men.
“We saw the man as he was being taken away by the gunmen numbering over 4. They commanded him to enter the vehicle and they zoomed off towards Ibewa,” the community source who doesn’t want his name in print said.
When contacted, a brother to the victim who gave his name as Chiemeka Orji, said they don’t know if their brother is still alive or dead because his abductors are yet to make contact or demand for any ransom.
He further alleged that his brother might have been assassinated.
“We are all living in fear in our family because my brother Chinedu might have been killed.”
Asked why he thinks his brother might have been assassinated; “Who gets kidnapped twice in less than one year?” Chiemeka quipped.
“My brother was first kidnapped on 16th of August, 2021 in Omoku in the same Rivers state where he has gone missing again.
“When the first incident happened, we rallied around to raise over 15 million naira for his release, the kidnappers told us to warn our brother to stay away from businesses that doesn’t concern him. When our brother came home, we made every effort to ask him what the matter could be but he said we shouldn’t worry.
“Thus, when I say he must have been assassinated, do you understand me now?” he asked.
When Uziben was contacted for comment, a man who identified himself as Henry and Manager of the firm- Uziben, said they’re also worried sick and the last time he heard from “Mr. Chinedu Orji was five days ago when he was deployed to work on IHS_RIV_1143A, to bring up communication on site.”
He assured that the company will do all within their power to secure the return of their staff whom he described as a “huge asset to Uziben.”
When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command Spokesperson, SP Nnamdi Omoni confirmed the incident but ruled out any possibility of assassination.
According to him “our men are in pursuit of a kidnap gang in that axis. Preliminary information available to us is that those held hostage in their den might have escaped but we’re yet to confirm the situation leading to their escape,” Omoni said, while promising to get back to our correspondent with more details.
