The state Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Joshua Ukandu, who made the explanation in a statement issued on Monday in Abakaliki, said Igboayaka was arrested, following a petition submitted to the Commissioner of Police in the state.
The Ebonyi State Police Command has said that its operatives did not abduct the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Igboayaka Igboayaka, as reported, rather, he was arrested.
The state Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Joshua Ukandu, who made the explanation in a statement issued on Monday in Abakaliki, said Igboayaka was arrested, following a petition submitted to the Commissioner of Police in the state.
The police spokesperson said that the petitioner whose identity he did not disclose, accused Igboayaka of spreading false information capable of truncating peace and destabilising communities in the state.
The PPRO stated, “The Ebonyi State Command is aware of the information circulating in the media alleging the abduction of the Igbo youth leader, Comrade Igboayaka Igboayaka, on February 8, 2025.
“To set the record straight, Igboayaka Igboayaka was arrested by officers from the command following a petition which accused him of spreading false information capable of truncating peace and destabilising communities in the state.”
Ukandu stated that investigations are ongoing, and once concluded, Igboayaka would be charged to court.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that gunmen abducted Igboayaka on Saturday night at Ochez Suites, Works Layout, Owerri, Imo State capital.
He was abducted shortly after he was declared the winner of the OYC presidential election at the Council’s national convention.
Comrade David C. Ani, who said he witnessed Igboayaka’s abduction told SaharaReporters that they have been informed that Igboayaka was taken to the Ebonyi State Police Command headquarters, Abakaliki.
Ani told SaharaReporters that he went to Abakaliki where he confirmed that Igboayaka is currently being detained at the Ebonyi State Police Command headquarters at the order of the state government.
He said the Ebonyi State government did not deny Igboayaka’s abduction and detention but said they want him to explain where he got the information about the herdsmen attacks on Amegu village, Nkalaha community in the Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.
SaharaReporters had on February 4, reported that Igboayaka in a statement said that OYC’s Directorate of Intelligence had raised the alarm and warned Governor Nwifuru about the potential attack four days prior to the violent incident by suspected herdsmen in Amegu Nkalaha community.
Igboayaka had said, “Our findings indicated that Fulani herdsmen are expanding their presence in Ebonyi State, posing a significant threat of additional attacks if Governor Nwifuru remains inactive, and that it may lead to further loss of lives in the state.”
He added, “Unfortunately, we have governors in the South-East who are perceived as uncooperative regarding insecurity, demonstrating a lackadaisical attitude which has led to frequent incidents of killings, kidnapping, banditry, and arson in the South-East.
“Evidently, Gov. Francis Nwifuru has been ineffective in ensuring the safety of lives and properties in Ebonyi, raising concerns about his capacity, ability, and dedication to resolving the Fulani Herdsmen violence in Ebonyi State.
“We trust that Governor Francis Nwifuru and his team will carefully examine the various locations mentioned in the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) press statement issued at Abakaliki on 29th January 2025.”