Two weeks after being abducted from her church in Asaba, Delta State, former lawmaker Hon. Joan Onyemaechi has regained her freedom. The news of her release sparked widespread jubilation in her hometown of Ubulu-Uku, where residents had been in a somber mood, holding intense prayer sessions for her safe return.
Onyemaechi, a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly, ex-House of Representatives member, and former Commissioner for Technical Education in Delta State, was released on Saturday. Her community in Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South Local Government Area, erupted in celebration upon hearing of her freedom.
A police officer, speaking anonymously, revealed that the abduction was a highly organized crime. The kidnappers stormed the King Jesus and I Church in Asaba, killed her security aides, and set fire to the SUV they arrived in to erase any evidence. The attack, which left one policeman and Onyemaechi’s driver dead, caused pandemonium as the gunmen fired shots into the air before taking her away.
During the period of her captivity, online publishers fueled tension in the community by spreading false information and unverified stories. Despite this, the Delta State Police Command confirmed that Onyemaechi, also known as Ada-Anioma, had been released by her abductors. However, no details were provided about how her release was secured.
The kidnapping, which took place on a Tuesday evening, left many in fear and confusion about the motives of the gunmen. Some speculated political motives, while others believed it was the work of ‘Unknown Gunmen’ from the East who had infiltrated Delta State.
Community leader Mark Okolie criticized the security agencies for their failure to prevent such an audacious attack on a high-profile individual like Onyemaechi. He called on the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, to strengthen the state’s security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
