Political Godfather Who ‘Kidnapped’ Sitting Governor Escapes Kidnap Plot

Chief Chris Uba, famed as Esulu, the political godfather famed for reportedly kidnapping Governor Chris Ngige in 2003 himself escaped a bloody kidnap attempt on Thursday night in Anambra State that, however, left two of his police escorts dead.

Business expert, Mr Val Ozigbo, erstwhile president of Trascorp Plc now a chieftain of Labour Party also escaped the kidnap attempt after he gave way to the convoy of Chris Uba which ran headlong into the kidnap ambus.

It was gathered that Chris Uba escaped the kidnap and gun attack because he was driving in a bulletproof vehicle.

A source told the online newspaper, PM News:

“Val Ozigbo was coming back from Owerri with members of his family when he suddenly saw a convoy driving ferociously toward his own convoy, and attempting to edge him off the road. He quickly told his driver to clear off the road let the other convoy pass by.

“Shortly after they overtook Ozigbo, they ran into the gunmen at UGA junction who started shooting, and killed two policemen. Ozigbo who parked while the incident was happening, later learnt that the convoy that was attacked was that of Uba.”

The newspaper said that the gunmen aimed to kidnap Chris Uba, who was once famed as the political godfather of Anambra State, nay the Southeast having nominated nearly all political office holders that took office in May, 2003 in Anambra State.

Chris Uba was also reported to have played a role in the kidnap of Governor Chris Ngige in July 2003 after the two were reported to have fallen out after masterminding the political scheme that brought Ngige to office.

The police in its reaction to the shocking development in a statement issued by the state police command’s spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga said it has launched a manhunt for the attackers.

The release read: “Anambra State Police Command has launched an intensive manhunt for armed insurgents who infiltrated from a neighbouring State and killed two Police Personnel on 28th December 2023 at about 18.30 hours (6.30 p.m.).

“The gang which disguised in military fatigue and seemed to be on a kidnap mission were jolted on seeing two armed Police officers approaching their direction. They opened fire on the officers who had moved ahead of the convoy they were escorting to decongest traffic gridlock. Other personnel returned fire, careful not to hit many motorists who were in traffic, forcing the bandits to flee.

“Police-led mobile Forward Operating Base which had been on intensive patrol of the entire area throughout Christmas celebrations promptly responded to the scene.

“It recovered a Lexus SUV the gang operated with and defused an improvised explosive device found in the vehicle. It also recovered an AK-47 rifle belonging to one of the slain personnel.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye who had declared the weekend and Christmas holidays as special working days for all Officers and men in the Command commended all personnel for their tireless and courageous effort in securing the people of Anambra State.

“He urged them not to be demoralized by the supreme price paid by their colleagues from Enugu State Command but to draw inspiration from their bravery in confronting the criminal gang.

“He condoled with the families of the deceased officers and Enugu State Police Command and vowed that the personnel will not die in vain.

“He has urged all officers and men of Anambra State Police Command to redouble their efforts and remain vigilant. He assured that technology would be employed to track down the criminals who unleashed the attack on Police personnel.”
Meanwhile, GWG.ng reports that Chris Uba is yet to make a formal response to the alleged kidnap attempt.

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