The unforgettable story of Mayor Nwaka and the three missing siblings in Ikwuano
While we try to derogate the person of Mayor Osinachi Nwaka, it’s also very pertinent that we, as mortals do not hurriedly consign to oblivion the unusual efforts of the Mayor towards the rescue of the trio of Gideon Osinachi [8yrs], Divine Osinachi [6yrs], are Israel Osinachi [4yrs),
the three abducted children of Mr. and Mrs. Osinachi Eluwa of Amaoba-Oboro in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State.
The story of those three innocent children and the proactive intervention of Ossy Nwaka, although some ignorant, politically myopic individuals, tagged it a script, shall remain ever green in the heart of every true lover of humanity.
Famousreporters.com was fully aware of all that transpired and can emphatically and without fear or favour whatsoever, state that Nwaka’s unhesitated mediation in that regard has never been found or heard about in the history of any African society except maybe in a country like Zambia where the government values lives of the governed above the millions breathing in their accounts.
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We live in a world wherein our past and present leaders, both in Ikwuano LGA, Abia State and Nigeria in general, would care less or not about the lives of the led except in rare occasions wherein their close relatives especially immediate family members are involved otherwise they do not bat an eye at the predicaments of their led.
I remember vividly that fateful evening when Mayor Nwaka received with agony, the distressed call from a source close to the family about the unfortunate disappearance of these innocent children from the same parents. I could feel intensely from his voice, the aching heart of a leader who places the lives of the people under his care at equilibrium with those of his immediate family.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the perpetrators had approached the trio of Gideon Osinachi [8yrs], Devine Osinachi [6yrs], Israel Osinachi [4yrs], as motor cyclists also known as ‘Okada Riders’ sent by their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Osinachi Eluwa, to convey them back home from school, on May 10, 2023, at about 2.00pm Nigerian time.
Nwaka, in a prompt response, mobilized all security agencies to initiate immediate efforts towards locating the missing children, while informing the general public tbat,
“the father of the abducted children, Mr. Osinachi Eluwa, can be reached at 07037113199 for any information or assistance”.
Nwaka, did not stop at expressing grief over the missing children, but promptly took a drastic action of mobilising all security agencies to initiate immediate efforts towards locating the missing children, while informing the general public.
In a release which was made av to famousreporters.com, emotion ladden Nwaka said:
“We implore all members of the community to exercise heightened vigilance and promptly report any suspicious activities to the authorities. Your cooperation is pivotal in facilitating the safe recovery of these innocent children.
“Furthermore, we extend our heartfelt solidarity and support to the distressed family during this harrowing ordeal. We urge anyone with pertinent information to come forward and assist law enforcement agencies. Eyewitnesses or individuals possessing relevant details are encouraged to contact the nearest police station or utilize the following hotlines: 0803 427 0914, 0803 797 8707, 0806 259 8068.
“As a community, let us rally together in solidarity and collective effort to ensure the safe return of Gideon, Divine, and Israel Osinachi. Our thoughts and prayers remain steadfastly with the affected family as we fervently anticipate their joyful reunion. May justice be served swiftly, and may the perpetrators be brought to account for their reprehensible actions.”
This drastic action is not commonly found among our present day’s leaders whether in Ikwuano or anywhere else. It’s unusual!
When Nwaka insisted on swinging physically into action with the security personnel to recover the children, everyone, including I was taken aback. We mistook him for a joker but were thrown into a state of consternation when we saw him hop into the vehicle as the car was already steaming, ready to speed off .
All the attempts by the Commissioner for police (…name) in an attempt to dissuade Nwaka from traveling with some security personnel to the den of the abductors, fell on deaf ears . Nwaka’s mind was made up and like a wounded lion he muttered in his mind: “I shall use my last drop of blood to rescue and recover my missing children”.
A decision that only a loving father could take.
He proved that in all honesty, he was nothing but a vigilant and gallant honourable who has value for human lives.
Even though the CP cited instances that the victims could be used as baits to capture the Mayor, the latter turned down all advances. He argued and I paraphrased: “each individual’s life is as valuable as the other, hence no life surpasses another. Those children could be mine and if they were mine, wouldn’t I take the risk of visiting the abductors to save my children’s lives, if that’s what I must do? And if that is the case, why wouldn’t I do the same for their poor parents whom I understand very well what pain they are going through?” Those were the touching words of Nwaka.
That was how the first victim, Divine Osinachi [6yrs] was rescued from his abductors. Nwaka was one of the foot soldiers who recovered the child and returned him to his heavily pregnant mother. And I could bet you that the joy and happiness of that poor woman and her husband could be best imagined than described. And within a space of two weeks, the family reunited with their three sons. No sooner had God, through Mayor Nwaka facilitated the release of the victims than their mother put to bed a beautiful baby girl.
When famousreporters.com interviewed him on the rescuing of Divine, he said: “
“As the Chief Security officer of ikuanno, i feel it’s just one of my duties but it’s a red flag to the kidnappers that Ikwuano is not a palatable place for them, I won’t allow an inch of Ikuanno to be open for any kidnappers, not under the watch of Governor Alex Otti and Mayor Osinachi Nwaka
“I, therefore, urge the parents to remain calm and hopeful. I know it’s a tough time, they should have that confidence that the remaining two children by God’s grace, with the help of security agencies will be fished out.
And then to evil perpetrators who engage in child trafficking and kidnapping, it is high time they stopped it and found another business to do because Abia State is not for that kind of business.”, Mayor warned.”
Earlier, on how he felt about the news of the children’s disappearance, Nwaka said:
“It has been a sleepless night for all of us. I’ve summoned all the okada riders to fish them out and also all the security personnel, the army, the police, they DSS, the Civil Defence, and the Immigration that we need these people alive.
“So our Intel and every body’s hand was on deck. So God willing,within the last 48 hours, we got a hint; an Intel telling us where they were and I’ve maintained a constant discussion with the man in view who happens to be living in Ekwulobia. So, I had to make the necessary security preparations beginning with my DPO, the CSO at the Government House, and then down to the Commissioner of police (CP), with whom I had an elaborate discussion alongside other security agencies who gave their support and we were able to travel to Ekwulobia. And fortunately for us, we saw the boy there and one of the suspected abductors or the man that is in custody of him. However, what we couldn’t get successfully was the main people that acted as agents that gave the boy to the final person we met the boy with. So, when we tried to lay ambush for them, they got to know that we were around and they ran away, but one good thing is that we got the boy and we got the man that we’ll maintain talk with. So the boy is home while the man has been handed over to the state CID. So, this morning I’m going back to the CP’s office for further investigation with the man whom we know will give us useful information to catch the remaining people that ran away to also enable us to recover the remaining two children which is my main concern.” Nwaka explained.
Evidently, Nwaka’s, unprecedented value for human lives is a trait posterity will never forget in a hurry. He has truly created a legacy in Ikuwano that would outlive his generations and I wish our leaders not only in Ikwuano, Abia, but also Nigerian nations and all over the world would emulate this outstanding quality.
