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The Infamous Tale of Osisikankwu: A Reign of Terror in Igboland
Obiọma Nwankwo, widely known as Osisikankwu, etched a horrifying chapter in Nigeria’s history of kidnappings, particularly in Igboland. His notoriety stemmed from his leadership of a ruthless gang that terrorized Abia State, specifically Aba and its surroundings, extending even to Obigbo (Oyigbo) in Rivers State.
For those who lived in Aba between 2007 and 2010, Osisikankwu’s reign of terror was an unforgettable ordeal. The city was plunged into chaos as kidnappings escalated, leading to a mass exodus of residents, including prominent figures. Hundreds fell victim to abduction, torture, and extortion. The once vibrant Aba and its neighboring Ngwa villages were transformed into ghost towns, as people fled to evade becoming the next prey.
In the heart of Aba, near the Ariaria International Market, I witnessed the abduction of several people, including a popular young man named Igodo, who was eventually released after his family paid a hefty ransom. Osisikankwu’s gang also targeted Nkwubuego Steel, but they were thwarted by prior payments. These grim events were marred by accounts of rape and murder, leading my mother to plead for my return to the safety of our village.
Osisikankwu, hailing from Ogwe in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State, masterminded a kidnapping syndicate comprising approximately 3,000 people solely focused on abductions and violence.
Their primary targets were the affluent, expatriates, and high-ranking government officials in Abia State. The Abia State government, led by Dr. Theodore Ahamefula Orji, was powerless in the face of this onslaught. Osisikankwu’s gang kidnapped and killed a multitude of Aba residents, leaving the city in turmoil.
Their reign of terror extended beyond Abia State. Three British nationals and a Colombian contract worker at Shell’s Power Plant in Afam VI, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, were kidnapped by Osisikankwu’s gunmen. After a ransom was paid by both NetcoDietmann and the Rivers State government, they were released.
In April and May of 2010, Osisikankwu’s gang targeted two German and three Chinese nationals, along with nine Nigerians working for Nigerian Steel Company in Aba. Ransoms in the millions were paid for their release.
July 10 witnessed the abduction of Mrs. Victoria Ori, the wife of a wealthy Ohafia resident, who was ransomed for a substantial sum. Shortly after her abduction, Osisikankwu’s gang seized three journalists and their driver, who were traveling through Aba after a Nigerian Union of Journalists meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. A ransom of ₦30 million was paid for their release.
The reign of terror reached its zenith on August 24, when Osisikankwu’s gang, led by a thug known as ‘Okwute’ Stone, robbed five commercial banks in the Osisioma area of Aba, resulting in the death of all police officers and security personnel on duty.
Further incidents followed in quick succession, including the abduction of the senior pastor of the Jerusalem for All Nations Church, the killing of an Indian national, and the tragic abduction and murder of Dr. Stanley Uche, a gynecologist and hospital owner.
On September 27, Osisikankwu’s gang abducted 15 pupils from Abayi International School in Aba, sending shockwaves worldwide. The children were later released unharmed, but this incident compelled the intervention of the Nigerian military.
Amidst the chaos, Osisikankwu granted an inadvertent interview to a journalist, where he expressed his grievances about the marginalization of Ngwaland, the largest tribe in Abia State. He claimed that the neglect of Ukwa-Ngwa and its economic hub, Aba, had led to their resorting to violence. Osisikankwu expressed willingness to surrender and seek rehabilitation if the Abia State government offered assistance.
In response to the global outcry following the abduction of Aba school children, the Nigerian government, under President Goodluck Jonathan, deployed a Joint Military Task Force to Abia State. After a fierce battle in the Ugwuati Evil Forest, Osisikankwu was killed.
His death was celebrated in Aba, and his girlfriend, Ogochi, was arrested. This operation also resulted in the recovery of significant weaponry. The Abia State government hailed Osisikankwu’s death as a triumph of light over darkness.
“Conversion to CNG May Have Contributed to Deadly Inferno”
A devastating road accident occurred on [date] at G-Hostel Junction, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, leaving multiple lives lost. An 18-seater bus caught fire, resulting in the tragic loss of passengers.
According to eyewitnesses, the bus driver had recently converted the vehicle’s fuel system from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). While the exact cause of the accident is still unknown, concerns are being raised about potential safety risks associated with the CNG conversion.
The accident resulted in the deaths of all passengers on board, with bodies burnt beyond recognition. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many offering condolences to the families of the victims.
Authorities have commenced an investigation into the accident to determine its cause and whether the CNG conversion played a role in the tragedy. The public is urged to remain vigilant and cautious when traveling.
Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time. May their souls rest in peace.
The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command has said it’s operatives were still investigating the alleged murder of Miss Priscilla Ocheme by her boyfriend, Ekosuehi Elvis, also known as Richard at his residence in Lugbe.
The command made the disclosure, while reacting to publications circulating on social media concerning the alleged murder incident and claims that justice may be swept under the carpet.
The Police said: “The suspect was invited for questioning by operatives of the FCT Police on September 24, 2024.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, Ekisuehi Elvis, a 30-year-old man from Oredo, Benin in Edo State, met the now deceased Priscilla at Madonna University.
“He lost contact with her when he left the university until 2019 when he came to the FCT for his youth service.
“He was a well-known family friend who frequently visited the deceased at her family home, just as she visited his.
“On September 22, 2024, she had a minor misunderstanding with her mother, which led her to leave her family home in the Karu area and go to Ekosuehi’s residence to cool off.”
“She eventually left his residence later that evening and was on her way home when she was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident at the Amala Moore junction in Pyakasa.
“They rushed her to Pyakasa Health Centre for medical attention, after which she was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, accompanied by two police detectives.
“Upon arrival at the medical centre, she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.”
The price of a bag (50 kg) local rice rose year-on-year, YoY, by 152.9 percent to N95,738 in September 2024 from N37,853 in September 2023.
According to vanguard news, data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, ‘Selected Food Price Watch’ for September 2024 showed that the price of 1 kilogram (Kg) of local rice stood at N1,914.77 during the period.
The report also showed that the price of beans recorded higher growth rate at over 200 percent, YoY.
The NBS report stated: “The average price of 1kg Local rice sold loose went up by 152.92 percent on a year-on-year basis from N757.06 in September 2023 to N1,914.77 in September 2024, while there was an increase of 4.57 percent on a month-on-month basis.
“Also, the average price of 1kg of beef boneless increased by 99.99 percent on a year-on-year basis from N2,816.91 in September 2023 to N5,633.60 in September 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 1.44 percent from N5,553.80 in August 2024. The average price of 1kg beans brown (sold loose) stood at N2,738.59. This indicates a rise of 281.97% in price on a year-on-year basis from N716.97 recorded in September 2023 and a 6.37 percent rise in price on a month-on-month basis from N2,574.63 in August 2024.
“Agric eggs medium size (12 piece) experienced significant price increases year on year by N137.43 percent from N1,047.47 in September of last year (2023) to N2,487.04 in September 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, the average price of this item rose by 8.64 prices from N 2,289.19 in August 2024. There was also a notable price increase of bread (sliced) by 115.74 percent on a year-on-year basis from N708.36 in September 2023 to N1,528.19 in September 2024.
“On a month-on-month basis, it increased by 4.68 percent from N 1,459.85 in August 2024. The state profile analysis in September 2024 revealed that the highest average price of 1kg of Bean Brown (sold loose) was recorded in Bauchi at N3,450.04 while the lowest was in Adamawa state at N1,800.”
Giving the breakdown of prices across the states, NBS added: “The highest average price of Agric eggs medium size (12 piece) was recorded in Niger State at N3,000.84 while the lowest was in Borno State at N2,075.58.
