Plot to kidnap prominent persons including public office holders, traditional rulers and members of the clergy and use them for negotiation has been uncovered by the Abia State government.
The state government has described those behind the plot as renegade members of a non state group.
According to a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu last night, the purpose of the unnamed group is to hold their victims hostage and use them as human shield and ransom for negotiations.
Okiyi Kalu in the statement admonished “those behind the dastardly plot to desist from it”, even as the government advised such high profile personalities targeted by the group to be attacked to exercise utmost vigilance while going about their normal duties.
Security agencies, the government added, are on red alert over the matter and are on the trail of the group, stressing that those targeted should go about their normal duties as security agents in the country are on the trail of the arrowheads of the plotters with a view to nipping it in the bud and bringing those involved to justice.
The statement reads, “Abia State Government has uncovered plots by renegade members of a non state group to attack and kidnap prominent persons in the state including public office holders, traditional rulers, members of the clergy, and hold them as human shield and ransom for negotiations.
“While we strongly admonish those behind the dastardly plot to desist from it, we advise such high profile personalities mentioned above to exercise utmost vigilance while going about their normal duties as security agents in the country are on the trail of the arrowheads of the plot with a view to nipping it in the bud and bring those involved to justice.
“Government further appeals to all citizens and visitors to keep their focus on maintaining the existing peace in the state and avoid acts that are capable of reversing the gains we have made collectively in securing the State through the understanding and cooperation of all”.
