Ogbonnaya’s family beg Gov. Alex Otti seeking help in located their missing son.

Divine Sam

The family of David Ogbonnaya, a student from Kingdom College, Ozu Abam, Abia State, has made an urgent plea to Governors Alex Otti of Abia and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, seeking their help in locating their missing son. David was abducted on March 5, 2024, during a violent land dispute between Kingdom College and Ndi Okorie community. The incident occurred while students were working on the college’s farm, and a group of youths from Ndi Okorie attacked, abducting eight students in total.

According to David’s family, while one student was killed and six others were rescued by the Nigerian Army, David remains unaccounted for. Abel Ogbonnaya, speaking on behalf of the family, expressed the deep distress caused by the disappearance, noting that they have written to various authorities, including Governor Nwifuru, and informed local representatives and security agencies, yet little progress has been made in resolving the case.

In addition, Abel shared that a policeman sent to investigate the kidnapping was also abducted and injured by the same youths but was later rescued by the Nigerian Army. The family continues to seek any information about David’s whereabouts, urging both Governors Otti and Nwifuru, as well as other relevant authorities, to assist in finding him, alive or deceased.

Abia State officials, including the Majority Leader of the State Assembly, Uchenna Kalu, have confirmed the ongoing investigation into the incident, citing the long-standing land dispute between the two parties. The Deputy Governor, Ikechukwu Emetu, has been briefed on the matter, and efforts to address the conflict, including peace meetings, are underway. Despite these efforts, the Ogbonnaya family remains desperate for closure.