- The incident occurred in Owerri after he finished anchoring his morning program on Ozisa FM
- NonsoNkwa is a vocal critic of Governor Hope Uzodinma’s government, particularly regarding the state’s security situation
Chinonso Uba, a well-known radio broadcaster popularly addressed as NonsoNkwa, was forcefully taken by unidentified, gun-wielding men believed to be operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) in Owerri, Imo State.
The incident occurred on Thursday, right after NonsoNkwa had completed his morning program on Ozisa FM, Owerri, which airs on the premises of Assumpta Cathedral of the Owerri Catholic Archdiocese. As he was driving in his SUV, the attackers, wearing plain clothes and masks, intercepted him at the junction of Holy Ghost College Secondary School.
Notably, NonsoNkwa has been an outspoken critic of Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration in Imo State, particularly concerning the issue of security challenges prevailing in the state.
According to an eyewitness, the assailants carried out the abduction using a Hilux vehicle, a Lexus 350, and an ES 330. They forcefully seized the prominent journalist, who also serves as the coordinator of the human rights group, ‘Protect the Weak International Foundation (PROWIF),’ before speeding away in one of their vehicles.
In an attempt to rescue him, concerned individuals rushed to the scene, but they were intimidated and forced to retreat by the armed abductors. NonsoNkwa’s own vehicle was left behind at the spot where the incident occurred.
The source said, “Unknown people armed with AK-47 rifles have abducted my colleague, Theodore Chinonso Uba, NonsoNkwa of Ozisa 96.1FM, Owerri. This was 30 minutes ago in front of the Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri on his way out after work this morning.
“Eyewitnesses said they looked like police or DSS as they blocked him off with not less than two vehicles at the entrance of the cathedral.
“He has been very critical of Governor Hope Uzodinma, as well as the killings in Imo State,” another source added.
“He resisted them as he was shouting; they wanted to kill him before he was taken away in one of their vehicles. His jeep was not taken away alongside him. They were all dressed in black and blue attires, carrying guns while they were masked. They prevented people from making video of the incident. Let nothing happen to him please.”
The manager of Ozisa FM, Rev Fr Raymond Nzereogu, who confirmed the incident, said he was yet to ascertain if the journalist was arrested or kidnapped.
The priest said, “We don’t know if he was arrested or kidnapped. We have reached out to the State Security Service people and they said that they were not responsible. We are heading to the police to confirm. We will keep you posted on any further development.”