Monarch worries over disappearance of 34-year-old woman

 Unanaowo, HRM Obong Etim Abia

The Paramount Ruler of Eket, His Royal Majesty, Obong Etim Abia, said he suspected a dishonest act by the Nigeria Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, over the alleged kidnap of a 34-year-old lady, Ms. Eunice Unanaowo by one Mr. Chigozie Chinwuba.

It was learnt that Eunice was last seen with Chinwuba on February 3, 2016, who was said to have taken her to Akwa Ibom Transport Corporation to sell her Hummer bus.

According to the monarch, Chinwuba, few minutes after both of them left, returned to Eunice apartment alone and began to remove property and cash.

He added that the youth in the area, who suspected Chinwuba’s movement, apprehended him and handed him over to the police for investigation.

Speaking in Eket on Friday, Abia lamented that since the suspect was arrested and detained in the police custody, the police has not done anything concrete to secure the release of the lady or establish her whereabouts.

“The abduction of this lady is unfortunate and a sad news to us; it looks like the authorities are helpless.  Even though the man at the centre of the incident is in the police custody, nothing good seems to develop. I do not know why?

“In a situation like this, there is the tendency for people to believe that the authorities are compromised because one would have expected that the man at the centre should be charged to court in the first instance.

“For now, there is uncertainty whether the lady is alive or has been murdered or not, but there is no doubt that she has been kidnapped. Somebody must account for her. So, the government must rise to its responsibility of protecting its citizens’ lives and property,” Abia said.

He appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and all security agencies to secure the release of his subject.

He said, “In some countries like America, the government cannot spare any effort in ensuring that the right of individuals is ensured and protected.

“That is why people are so passionate to be an American citizen because if one American is missing, the government would do everything possible to find what has happened to the person.

“Somebody went to young woman’ house, drove out with her and came back without the young woman and did not even stop there, but ransacked her apartment and carted away her valuables. There should be no too much waste of time to ask such a man to account for his action.

 “There is too much impunity in this country. The Nigerian Government should rise up and find out where the woman has been taken to. We love this country. So, we have every right to expect that the government should protect our lives and property.”

The father of the abducted lady, Chief EnoUnanaowo, said his daughter was last seen in company of the suspect (Chinwuba) trying to get a prospective buyer for her to sale Eunice’s  Hummer bus.

He said later that evening, Chinwuba brought back Eunice’s car and parked at her residence at NungObioEnang, off Idoro road in Uyo, without Eunice.

He alleged that the following day, Chinwuba came back to Eunice’s residence, posed as a naval officer, searched and stole money and valuables, which belonged to the abducted lady.

 “I am aware that Chinwuba was seen with Eunice at Macrae Resort Hotel at IkotEkpene on February 3, 2016. I am also aware that when Chinwuba ransacked Eunice residence and carted away her valuables. He deposited them at the hotel in IkotEkpene.

“The police may be doing their utmost but I have not seen any result. The whereabouts of my daughter has defiled all understanding and explanation. I implore the security agencies and the government to unravel this mystery and rescue my daughter,” Unanaowo pleaded.

Unanaowo alleged that the Police Command in Akwa Ibom had been reluctant to investigate Chinwuba because of the fear of his father who is a senior police officer in the state.

He said that the family had petitioned the AIG Zone 6, but unfortunately, nothing good has come out of it.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Cordelia Nwawe, said the matter had been charged to court and would provide our correspondent with documented evidence.

She had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

SOURCE: THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER