Nigerian Army has confirmed arresting Obinna Obi in Abia State for alleged links with the Indigenous People of Biafra and their Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) in the state.
The director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, responding to LEADERSHIP, said Obinna was being held in custody for further investigations on IPOB/ESN nefarious activities.
“The information currently at my disposal is that Frank Obinna was arrested yesterday by troops during a raid operation in conjunction with other security agencies and Vigilantes at Umuakwu in Umunneochi LGA of Abia State,” he said.
“He is allegedly linked to coordination of IPOB/ ESN nefarious activities and camps in Umunneochi general area and presently in troops’ custody for further investigations,” he said.
Family members of Obinna Obi, President General of Umuaku Isuochi, had sent a Save-our-Soul (SOS) to the military high command over the alleged “abduction” of their son by a military team led by a certain Major to an unknown destination.
Umuaku Isuochi is in Umunneochi local government area of Abia State.
His junior brother, who sent the SOS narrated how Obi was whisked away in a commando style without any explanation from the military team.
According to the complainant, who pleaded anonymity for security concerns, “My brother’s name is Mr Obinna Obi. He’s an architect and president general of our town development union.
“He was kidnapped by the army and tied on their truck and drove away yesterday around 4.pm.
“Nobody knows where they have taken him to, nobody knows his whereabouts up till now.
“His wife and children are in severe panic and can’t sleep anymore. My aged mum in the village is equally in shock and panic over the sudden action of the military.
“The village is Umuaku Isuochi, in Umunneochi local government area of Abia state.
“Little information I got is that this raid was carried out by an army major that is in charge of a military post at Lomara junction, along Isuochi.”
“He was picked up in Umuaku Market Square in front of his friend’s supermarket in broad daylight. He traveled to the village this weekend because he doesn’t stay in the village.
“He went for his normal routine visit and meetings as the president-general.
“A lot of his friends were there, but they couldn’t do anything because the army personnel were shooting sporadically.”