Anambra Police confirm killing of female banker by kidnappers after collecting ransom

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a female banker, Ifeoma Onyekwelu, by kidnappers after collecting ransom from her family.

The deceased who was said to be a senior manager with Polaris Bank, was reportedly abducted in December with the kidnappers demanding the sum of N25 million from her family but despite collecting the money in two tranches, still went ahead to kill her.

A human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who first shared the devastating news of Ifeoma’s murder on Facebook on Tuesday, said she was abducted in the commercial city of Onitsha and held captive for several days before her abductors contacted her family and demanded a ransom.

“Ifeoma, a banker was kidnapped in Anambra State. Ransom was demanded and the family paid but her abductors still killed her and dumped her body around along Ideani junction Nnobi/Alor road Anambra.

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“Lives are being taken daily and it’s sad nothing is being done to end all these killings. WHO IS NEXT? If we keep folding our hands and do nothing, it may get to you.”

A family of the murdered banker who spoke to journalists, also confirmed the incident, saying an undisclosed sum of money was paid to the kidnappers for her release but despite the ransom, Ifeoma was never freed, instead, her lifeless body was discovered along the road.

“Her body was found near Ideani Junction, along the Nnobi-Alor Road in Idemili South Local Government Area, even though the kidnappers had received the ransom from her family.

“She was abducted in Onitsha, and after several days, the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded the ransom, but unfortunately, she was not released alive.

“It’s suspected that she might have recognized them, and in order to prevent being exposed, they decided to eliminate her. The family is devastated by this tragic loss,” the source said.

Following public outcry over the incident, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), in a statement on Wednesday, said:

“The command was alerted about the discovery of a female corpse along the Nnobi-Alor Road, allegedly discarded by suspected kidnappers.

“The body has been recovered, and photos have been circulated as part of the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.”

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