“Human Rights Activist Demands Action Over Rising Cases of Missing Persons in Anambra”
Human rights activist, Comrade Osita Obi, has raised alarm over the growing number of missing persons in Anambra State, calling on the government and security agencies to take immediate action.
At a press conference in Awka, Obi expressed concern that the disappearance of individuals has become an unsettling norm in the state, with little or no action taken to trace those who have gone missing. He highlighted the cases of three prominent individuals whose whereabouts remain unknown—businessman Mr. Benjamin Ezemma, House of Assembly member Hon. Justice Azuka, and Labour Party governorship candidate Mr. Obiora Agbasimalo—none of whom have been located after their disappearance.
Of particular concern to Obi is the case of Benjamin Ezemma, also known as “Big Ben,” who vanished on November 12. He has not been seen since. Obi called on the government to step up efforts to locate Ezemma, stressing that what happened to him could happen to anyone.
“We are here to encourage the government to find Ben Ezemma. It is Ben today, but it could be any one of us tomorrow. We know the government has the capacity to find this man. What is the federal government doing about this?” Obi asked, raising concerns about the use of personal data from registrations such as SIM and NIN that could potentially aid in tracking missing persons.
He further urged the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Security Adviser (NSA), and other security agencies to use their available resources, including call logs from Ezemma’s service providers, to assist in identifying those behind his disappearance. He noted that some individuals with possible connections to Ezemma’s disappearance have already been dragged to court.
While he expressed appreciation for the DSS’s commitment to the investigation, Obi condemned the Anambra State Police Command for what he described as its glaring incompetence in handling the case. He criticized the practice of posting officers nearing retirement to the state, claiming they were only interested in financial gain rather than public service.
“If this continues, we may have no option but to protest,” Obi warned, urging the media to take up the issue and keep it in the public eye so that it does not get swept under the carpet.
Obi’s call for action comes as the search for the missing individuals, especially Ezemma, remains a priority for concerned citizens, human rights groups, and the wider public.
