While attempting to abduct him and put him on a motorcycle, Emmanuel raised the alarm, prompting people nearby to come to his rescue.
A group of men who claimed to be civilian Joint Task Force have attacked and macheted a young man, identified as Omado Emmanuel, in Ejule-Ojebe, Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State.
It was gathered that the six members waylaid Emmanuel on Sunday.
While attempting to abduct him and put him on a motorcycle, Emmanuel raised the alarm, prompting people nearby to come to his rescue.
Emmanuel's father told SaharaReporters on Thursday that one of the suspects was arrested and confessed that one Thomas Uchola allegedly sent them to abduct his son.
According to him, "Thomas Uchola, the father of Prince Uchola, organised a group of boys to assassinate my son, Emmanuel Omado."
He identified the attackers as Thomas Uchola, Prince Uchola, Ogwu Paul, Ejih Okolo, and Ajama Ogbodaga. He also alleged that the suspects burned down his wife’s mother’s house.
He said, "Last Sunday evening, I received a call from my son. He told me he was walking along the road when he was suddenly attacked by three or four men. They dragged him, chained his legs and hands, and continued manhandling him. While they were doing this, more men joined, making it a group of six."
Emmanuel asked them where they were taking him and pleaded with them to inform his family.
Given the insecurity in the country, he feared things could escalate.
He noted that they put him on a motorcycle and attempted to flee with him, but his cries for help drew the attention of bystanders.
He said two attackers managed to escape on motorcycles, while the others were left behind.
"When I received the call, I was told they were members of the Joint Task Force (JTF). I responded by saying that the JTF comprises the Navy and Civil Defence. I immediately contacted one of our brothers, and we confirmed that they were imposters."
"My brother, Michael, reported the incident to the Nigerian police Area Commander, stating that my son had been seriously injured.”
He said later, when one of the attackers was arrested, it was revealed they were civilians, led by Prince Uchola.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel's father requested the incident be properly investigated.
The day before, Emmanuel was attacked again when he went out to buy food.
"When my son called, he told me he was bleeding heavily, so I urged them to rush him to the hospital. I called Michael again, who informed the Area Commander that my son had been seriously injured.
"The next night, they came to my wife’s mother’s house and set it on fire. I called the Area Commander again, and an Investigating Police Officer (IPO) was assigned. I was asked to mobilise them, which I did.
"However, when they arrived in the village, they went straight to Prince Uchola’s house, ignoring the fact that my wife’s mother’s house had been destroyed."
Emmanuel’s father added that the police officers did not even visit his son at the hospital to verify his injuries. Instead, they left without conducting a proper investigation.
"The IPO, Mr. Cletus Edime, the area commander, received the complaint and agreed with my brother, whom I sent to deliver the petition. He also collected the sum of N50,000 to attend to the petition. He was the one who requested N50,000 for mobilisation, which I sent," he said.
"Now, I hear that these men are parading around with weapons, claiming to be members of the JTF.
"As a layman with no power, I can only cry for justice. I am calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, to intervene so that my son can receive justice.”
He said his son's life is in danger, and he fears losing him due to the injury he sustained.
When SaharaReporters contacted the IPO, Mr. Cletus Edime, to confirm the incident, he responded, "Tell him to send you evidence that I collected money from him.”