Gunmen kidnap Abia APC chairman

The Abia State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Donatus Nwankpa has reportedly been kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Nwankpa’s kidnap, our reporter gathered was kidnapped by armed men at Aro Ngwa junction along Aba-Enugu Expressway at about 11pm on his way from Umuahia, the State capital to Aba, the commercial nerve of the state to prepare ahead of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the state.

It was gathered that members of the party were thrown into panic following the breaking of the news of the abduction of Nwankpa.

APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Benedict Godson while confirming Nwankpa’s abduction, told newsmen in Aba on Tuesday that the party got information that there were plots by the opposition to disrupt the party’s presidential rally Tuesday, but never expected that it will get to the level of planning to kidnap the state chairman.

He said: “There was a plot on ground to disrupt today’s visit by the president, but we never expected this. He was kidnapped and up till now, we’ve not heard from him. He remains our authentic Chairman. Kidnapping Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, a foundation builder, a mover and the man who has brought this party from nowhere to somewhere cannot stop this party from winning Abia.

“I’m telling you authoritatively that there are some persons in opposition party who might have done this in collaboration with some persons in our own party and we are telling them that this is not the right way to play politics. 

“This move cannot stop Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, a God send industrialist in winning Abia. People are afraid and according to our party Chairman, it’s obvious that some persons were planted into our party by the opposition to distract the party. 

“For now we are not accusing anybody, but we know that the evil people are trying their best, but they’ll fail. We are sure our Chairman will be back soon because he’s a good man and a man of God. We plead with his abductors to release him for he meant well for Abia State.”

Also reacting to the kidnap of Nwankpa, a chieftain of the party, Hon. Acho Obioma wondered why the gunmen should go after a man that he described as easy going and friendly.

Obioma who represented Umuahia/Ikwuano constituency at the federal house of representatives, while appealing to the gunmen to release Nwankpa also called on heads of various security agencies to ensure that the state chairman was rescued from the hands of his abductors.