Richard Elesho
Concerned family members have raised the alarm over the whereabouts of Comrade Luqman Abbas Oricha, the President of the Ebira Youth Congress (EYC), Ajaokuta chapter. He was reportedly picked up in the early hours of Friday at around midnight by unidentified armed men in black uniforms.
In a statement made available to newsmen by a member of the association, Inda Bello, the EYC President was last seen on the 7th of February 2025.
The statement added that based on the account of his wife, some able-bodied men, who came in four Toyota Hilux vehicles, stormed their residence and whisked Luqman away.
“She further alleged that her husband recognised one of the men as the Divisional Head of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ajaokuta after he opened the door for them.
“Since his arrest, all attempts by EYC President General, his family members, and concerned community members to trace his whereabouts have been unsuccessful, as his mobile phone remains switched off.
“In response, the Kogi State Police Command and DSS headquarters have both denied any knowledge of his arrest or custody.
“Attempts to verify his whereabouts from members of the DSS in Ajaokuta proved abortive, and no concrete information has been provided by any authority to date.
“Expressing deep concern, the Oricha family and members of the Ebira Youth Congress have declared that the Divisional Head of DSS in Ajaokuta will be held responsible if anything happens to him. They have called on the government and relevant security agencies to act swiftly in locating and securing his release,” the statement read.
The statement urged members of the public to come forward with any useful information that could assist in uncovering his whereabouts.