Ani told SaharaReporters that Igboayaka was abducted at Ochez Suites, Works Layout, Owerri, shortly after he was declared the winner of the OYC presidential election at the Council’s national convention.

Comrade David C. Ani, who said he witnessed the abduction of the National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, by armed men in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Saturday night, has explained how the incident happened.

Ani told SaharaReporters that Igboayaka was abducted at Ochez Suites, Works Layout, Owerri, shortly after he was declared the winner of the OYC presidential election at the Council’s national convention.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the youth leader was kidnapped on Saturday evening near Work Layout, close to IMSU Junction, by armed men who arrived in a Sienna and a Lexus SUV.

Confirming the abduction, President of the Igbo National Council (INC), Chilos Godsent, said since the incident, efforts to contact Igboayaka had been unsuccessful as his mobile lines remained switched off.

However, Ani told SaharaReporters that they have been informed that Igboayaka was taken to the Ebonyi State Police Command headquarters, Abakaliki.

He claimed that Igboayaka's abduction might be connected to a statement he released last week, in which he mentioned that under his leadership, OYC had alerted Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru about an impending attack in the state three days before the deadly herdsmen attacks on Amegu village, Nkalaha community, in Ishielu Local Government Area.

Ani said Igboayaka was with other members of OYC when the armed men, dressed in black and numbering around seven, stormed the bar in a Sienna minibus and Lexus SUV.

He said, “The abductors, who claimed to be police officers, forcefully took Igboayaka and another person away, leaving behind a trail of confusion and fear.

“In a bizarre twist, the abductors returned 15 minutes later to take Igboayaka's car, and his phones went off five minutes after the abduction.

“When Igboayaka's associates attempted to stop the abductors or ascertain their identity, they were told to visit the Imo State CID for information on his offense.”

Explaining further, Ani said that on Sunday, Igboayaka's family and colleagues visited the Imo State CID, where they were informed that the Imo State Police were not responsible for the abduction.

He said, “However, the OYC's intelligent unit later discovered that a lady who attended the convention was sent by the Ebonyi State Police to track Igboayaka's movements.

“The Ebonyi State Police Command has since confirmed that they have Igboayaka in their custody, although his offence and the masterminds behind his abduction remain unknown.

“Fingers are pointing at the Governor of Ebonyi State, who allegedly sponsored a candidate to contest against Igboayaka.

“With Igboayaka's re-election, speculation is rife that the governor may have orchestrated the abduction in retaliation.

“His abduction might also be linked to the press statement he released last week which was published in the media that he alerted the Ebonyi state government three days before the herdsmen attacked the Ebonyi community.”

Ani added that the Ohanaeze Youth Council has called on the Nigerian authorities to investigate Igboayaka's abduction and ensure his safe release.

He said, “The incident has sent shockwaves throughout the region, with many calling for calm and an end to the violence.

“As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear, Igboayaka's abduction is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by Igbo leaders and activists in Nigeria.

“The international community is watching with bated breath, awaiting a resolution to this crisis and the safe release of Igboayaka.”