Enugu govt reacts to viral video on takeover of road by kidnappers

By Alex Enebeli

Enugu State Government has reacted to a viral video indicating that kidnappers have taken over the Enugu- Opi-Ugwuogo road in the state.

The viral video taken at a section of the road had showed people running amidst gunshots with scores claiming to have been kidnapped.

The video contained a message that “Enugu-Ugwogo is not safe now, hoodlums kidnapped three times on June 23″.

However, the Senior Special Adviser to Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State on New Media, Reuben Onyishi, dismissed the claim that Opi-Ugwuogo Road is not safe.

Onyishi disclosed this in a statement issued in Enugu in reaction to the viral video on social media.

Onyishi said that his fact check showed that the road was free and safe for motorists to ply.

He advised travellers and motorists plying the road not to entertain fears.

He assured them that the State Government had provided adequate security to ensure the safety of the people and motorists plying the road.

“I drove to and fro Opi-Ugwuogo road today on a fact-finding mission and I drove through the road to Nsukka in the morning and drove back to Enugu this afternoon.

“There is no cause for alarm as the Egyptian you saw yesterday, you shall see no more.

“This is contrary to the claims that kidnappers had taken over the road, and that motorists were being kidnapped in droves.

“The road is free and secure, and there is no kidnapping anywhere on the road,” Onyishi stated.

He added that the checkpoints were being manned, and a joint team of the military, police and forest guards patrol the road, combing forests at the fringes.

“Vehicles ply the road safely, and from Nsukka to Enugu, there is no cause to entertain any fear as the State Government has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of people plying the road,” he added.

Enugu State Police Command had denied the viral video clip and media report that the road was not safe and that hoodlums kidnapped three persons on Friday.

The command described the report as “untrue, highly unfounded and misleading”.

(NAN)