Outrage has greeted the release of two suspects arrested in connection with disputes unsettling Umuabi community, Udi local government area of Enugu State after a serving member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Okechukwu Aneke, stood surety for them.

Ene Chibueze, who was allegedly kidnapped had stated that the suspects had threatened his life before he was abducted by unknown gunmen, expressed fears for his safety, claiming that their release had emboldened them to return to the community and boast about their freedom.

He had wondered how the two suspects could be released without “investigation” into their alleged crimes by the police, simply by the intervention of a “reliable surety”.

Chibueze, stated that he had in a petition dated November 2, 2026, addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 13 Headquarters, Ukpo, Anambra State, alleged that a land dispute had exposed him and other members of the community to repeated threats, attacks and, ultimately, kidnapping.

He claimed that the land in question belonged to Umuabi community but that he, Ene Obum, Ezeora Uzoma and others had been farming and operating agricultural businesses on it for about 13 years.

According to him, on April 5, 2026, some persons allegedly invaded the land with sophisticated weapons, assaulted Uzoma and destroyed his pineapple farm and coconut trees, valued at about N3 million.

He further alleged that the invaders destroyed Obum’s pig farm, valued at about N5 million, and threatened to use criminal gangs against them.

Chibueze named Ebuka Atu, Robinson Atu, Obiora Ogbata, Agugbo Tochukwu and Onyia Chiemerie, among others, in the petition, accusing them of criminal trespass, malicious damage, threats to life, assault and kidnapping.

He, however, did not identify the persons who abducted him.

The complainant said that at about 7.30pm on October 26, 2026, unknown gunmen kidnapped him and held him captive for three days before releasing him after a ransom of N2 million was allegedly paid.

He said he suspected that the abduction might be connected to the land dispute, particularly because of the threats allegedly made against him before the incident.

On the release of the suspects, Chibueze alleged that he spent about N1.2 million to mobilise police personnel from Zone 13 in Anambra State to Enugu to investigate the matter, covering logistics, transportation, fuel and accommodation.

He said two suspects were arrested during the operation but were subsequently released after the serving member of the Enugu State House of Assembly stood surety for them.

The victim further alleged that the suspects told him the lawmaker had paid N5 million to secure their release. He said the allegation heightened his fears, particularly after the suspects allegedly returned to Umuabi and celebrated their release.

Chibueze, however, said the suspects’ release had left him apprehensive, alleging that their return to the community and alleged celebration had further threatened his sense of security.

He described the incident as the third kidnapping in Umuabi community and called on the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Force Anti-Kidnapping Unit to take over the investigation.

He urged the police authorities to thoroughly investigate the land dispute, identify those behind his abduction and ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice.

But the Zone 13 Police Command has defended the decision to grant the suspects bail, saying the lawmaker who stood surety for them was considered a “reliable surety” and that “bail is a constitutional right of suspects.”

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Samuel Oha, explained that the release of suspects on bail did not mean they had been cleared or that the investigation had been concluded.

“The investigation has not been concluded. If investigation has been concluded, it’s probably the matter where they charge the court for,” Oha said.

He maintained that the police, not complainants, determine whether suspects should be granted bail, adding that the decision must be guided by the law and established procedures.

Oha, however, said the victim had told investigators that he could not identify his abductors by their faces or voices, stressing that the Enugu State Police Command had not established a direct link between the people involved in the land dispute and those who carried out the kidnapping.

The police spokesman said investigators were also working to trace the N2 million ransom through the bank account or point-of-sale transaction used for the payment, with a view to identifying the recipient and others who might have been involved.

He acknowledged that a threat had allegedly been made by one of the persons involved in the land dispute shortly before the kidnapping, but cautioned that this alone did not establish that the person was among the abductors.

Oha confirmed that the lawmaker stood as surety for the suspects, describing him as a “reliable surety.” He, however, did not confirm the allegation that N5 million was paid to facilitate their release.

The police spokesman said the suspects were granted bail either on the day of their arrest or the following day, explaining that the police were empowered to make such decisions in accordance with the law.

He also said the complainant could not dictate how long suspects should remain in detention, emphasising that granting bail did not amount to exoneration.

Oha added that he had been following up with the Anti-Kidnapping Unit on the matter and that the suspects and their surety had been brought back to the command as investigations continued.

The police said investigations were ongoing, including efforts to establish the identities of the abductors and trace the ransom payment. (The Guardian)