01/08/2025
*Barrister Ifeoma Ihesie Responds to Alleged Kidnap Claim by Chief Okwuora*
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaIZskwFSAt2q5y6PN2M
Umuaka, Imo State – August 1, 2025
In response to recent social media allegations made by Chief Okwuora of Enugu State, who claimed he was kidnapped in Umuaka after visiting a sick boy in Ugbele Akah, Baristar Ifeoma Ihesie has issued a strongly worded public statement disputing the claim and defending the reputation of the Umuaka community.
Below is the full statement issued by Baristar Ifeoma Ihesie:
> Chief Okwuora of Enugu state, who alleged that he was kidnapped at Umuaka, after his visit to raise fund for a boy, who was suffering from kidney disease at Ugbele Akah. Well, I thank you for that acclaimed humanitarian support and assistance.
Let me frankly deposit here that from your narration, you were not kidnapped at Umuaka. You made us to understand that after your visit to the sick boy at Ugbele Akah, that on your way home, you turned to the right road that leads to onitsha/Owerri express way, whereby you met some police and army check points which were 2 minutes away from the area you were kidnapped.
It's on record that the nearest communities to onitsha/Owerri express way are Otura Ezioha and other communities within Ukworji. These communities are in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State and not in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.
Umuele Amaozoano shares common boundary with Otura Mbaitoli LGA. Umuele Amaozoano is an autonomous community in Njaba LGA. Umuaka is an autonomous community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State. Ugbele Akah is an autonomous community in Njaba LGA. Coming up on social media to claim that you were kidnapped at Umuaka where you saw hundreds and millions of guns, charms and juju is a fallacy and misleading, it's blackmailing to the whole of Umuaka community as well as detrimental to the community.
The traditional ruler of Umuaka is HRH Eze Ojinnaka while the traditional ruler of Ugbele is Eze Ukonu Akpaka of Ugbele. The traditional ruler of Umuele Amaozoano is HRH Eze Caesar Duruegbuso.
Umuaka community is located at the axis of Afor Umuaka (Umuaka Market) along Orlu/ Owerri road. Umuaka community does not share boundaries with Otura nor Ukworji where you experienced your ugly ordeal.
As for your allegation that your account was emptied by your kidnappers, as a social media influencer, it's presumptuous that you had not less than ten million naira in your account which was allegedly emptied from your account, it can be traceable through your bank. Your bank will be able to identify the account where your money was emptied into, it's no big deal.
The speed and the rate you started soliciting financial assistance from the public made nonsense of the whole story. If you were looking for a cheap way of soliciting fund, you shouldn't have involved Umuaka community in your story. Why would you ask the whole world not to honor any invitation to Umuaka and Njaba, are you not stupid to have uttered such defamatory advice.
Moreover, you didn't inform the public that you reported your encounter with your alleged kidnappers to any police station in Imo state neither did you report to the police and army at the said check points.
Let me clarify you that Njaba is comprises of many communities which Umuaka is one of it, coming out on social media to levy such fallacious allegations against Umuaka is subjecting and exposing the youths of that community to danger.
It would have been more civil for you to be specific in order to assistance law enforcement agencies to know the angle to channel their investigations and possible arrest, that is if you indeed made any report to Nigeria police force in Imo state.
It's worthy of note that there is Njaba police station located at Achara Akah, along Orlu/Owerri express way.
Enugu state where you hail from is well known for all sorts of criminal activities and ritual killings.
You stated that you were lying flat on the ground with your face down, how did you able to see people who were taking videos and pictures of you and your kidnappers.
When crimes are committed around neighboring communities of Umuaka, Umuaka people would be accused because Umuaka Community is located at the center of the Orlu/Owerri express road.
ENOUGH OF THIS NAME TARNISHING, UMUAKA COMMUNITY HAS SUFFERED AND TOLERATED ENOUGH OF THESE BAD NAME TAGGING.
Baristar Ifeoma Ihesie's remarks reflect growing concern among community members about the effect of public allegations on the image and safety of Umuaka. Efforts are ongoing to engage local authorities for further clarifications and investigations into the matter.
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*Follow Umuaka News24 reporting*