By Vincent Ujumadu

Awka — Amid rising cases of missing persons in Anambra State, human rights activist Osita Obi has threatened to mobilize mass protests against security agencies, citing their failure to address the alarming situation.

Speaking to reporters in Awka, Obi decried the frequent disappearances, which, according to him, have become disturbingly normalized in the state.

He highlighted the unresolved kidnapping of 34-year-old estate developer and Vice Chairman of Dubai Estate, Awka, Mr. Benjamin Ezemma, who has been missing since November 12, 2024.

“If security agents cannot find him, they must locate his kidnappers. We can’t stay silent or we might be next. The government has the capacity to track and recover him,” Obi said.

He also mentioned the 2021 abduction of Labour Party governorship aspirant Obiora Agbasimelo, who remains missing, and the recent kidnapping of State Assembly member Hon. Justice Azuka, who disappeared two months ago.

Obi emphasized that beyond these high-profile cases, other individuals have gone missing without any substantial effort to trace them.

“I am particularly concerned about Mr. Ezemma’s sudden disappearance. We need the government to act. It’s Ben today; it could be anyone of us tomorrow,” he said.

He questioned the usefulness of national identity databases like SIM and NIN registration if they cannot help locate missing persons.

“We urge the police, DSS, and NSA to use available resources, such as call logs, to trace Ben’s kidnappers and uncover the truth about his disappearance.”

Expressing dissatisfaction with the police’s handling of the matter, Obi criticized the stationing of retiring officers in Anambra.

“If this negligence continues, we may have no choice but to stage a mass protest,” he warned.