By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A gang of suspected kidnappers operating on Thursday struck again in Feggev area of Onitsha in Anambra State and kidnapped a man at No. 37 Port Harcourt Road, opposite Hanza Suleman’s provision store near the United Bank for Africa (UBA).

According to eye witnesses, the suspects riding in a Sienna bus stormed the area around 4:30pm.

Information has it that the victim was intercepted by the gang who blocked him with their vehicle, but, despite his frantic shouts for help, the assailants — armed with AK-47 rifles alighted from the bus, which was already occupied by unsuspecting passengers.

An eyewitness said, ”They came out, five of them, pretending to be security operatives.

“They brought out handcuffs and tried to arrest him. He resisted, but they managed to cuff one of his hands before dragging him into their vehicle and speeding off towards the Upper Iweka axis.”

Recall that Fegge was the same area where late lawmaker, Hon Justice Azuka, was kidnapped in December of 2024 while he was on his way home for the Christmas holiday and was later found dead.

Meanwhile, the Onitsha South Landlords Association Forum (OSLAF) have condemned the abduction, accusing security agencies of negligence.

The group lamented that despite repeated warnings, the police in Onitsha had done little with mounting of roadblocks, which they allege have become avenues for extorting money from tricycle operators rather than curbing crime.

The group said: “What we need is intelligence-driven policing, not endless roadblocks,” OSLAF said in a statement.

“In the past month alone, over five persons have been kidnapped in Onitsha. Huge ransoms were paid before they were released, and their vehicles remain missing. What kind of policing is this?”

The forum futher urged the Commissioner of Police in the state, Dr. Ikioye Orutugu, to immediately overhaul the security architecture in Onitsha and its environs, warning that the situation was rapidly deteriorating.

They also called for a state of emergency on security in Onitsha, particularly in Fegge, where residents say fear has become the order of the day, noting that security has collapsed completely in that area.

It warned that If another citizen is kidnapped, OSLAF will embark on aggressive protest.