Mother of abducted undergraduate cries for help

Mrs. Bridget Iwelu, the mother of a 19-year-old student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Emeka Shoremekun, has lamented the 15-month abduction of her son.Iwelu called for the intervention of the acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, to rescue the undergraduate, who was abducted on June 6, 2013 in Anambra State.According to Bridget, her son, Shoremekun could have been forcibly taken from or lured out of his hostel.She recalled that on the fateful day, she saw her son’s missed call on her mobile phone, adding that when she called him back, Shoremekun’s line was unreachable and the situation remained so for three days after which she became worried.



Bridget said, “I got worried that something was wrong and so I called his girlfriend, Ada, who I had previously met when I visited Shoremekun in school. I asked her whether she had seen my son.

“Ada informed me that she was in Lokoja, Kogi State, as of the time. When she got back to Awka about three hours later, Ada called, saying that on getting to my son’s hostel, she did not see him, but saw his cell phone on his bed without the SIM card.”

The worried mother said she went to Shoremekun’s school the following day in company with her husband, Michael Iwelu, and his brothers, Augustine and Ayo.

On getting to Shoremekun’s hostel, they met his roommate, a boy named Felix, who took them to Shoremekun’s best friend in school, Shedrach. Shedrach, however, told them that he did not know where Shoremekun was.

Bridget said, “We could not report the disappearance of my son to the university authorities because academic activities in the institution were paralysed due to an industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, but we reported the case at the Area C Police Command, Awka, Anambra State.”

Bridget stated further that Ada and Shedrach were subsequently arrested by the police for interrogation. She added that the duo was released after making statements.

“However, from that day till October, 2013, there was no clue on the whereabouts of my son. Then in November 2013, an anonymous caller informed my brother- in-law, Ayo Iwelu, on the telephone that my son was with them, but was ill.

“The anonymous caller said we should send some money in order for them to take care of Shoremekun.

“Throughout December 2013, the anonymous callers neither showed up with my son nor called again.

“In January 2014, my husband and I went to the Area C Police Command to find out whether there were new developments, but we were shocked when the police told us that they had not taken any further step beyond the initial arrest of Ada and Shadrach,” Bridget said.

In a petition to the Inspector General of Police, Bridget’s solicitor, Jiti Ogunye, urged the police to commence proper investigations into the abduction and ensure quick and safe release of the victim.

The letter reads in part, “Sir, we pray that you constitute an Inspector-General team to take over this case and comprehensively investigate same with a view to securing the release of   Mr. Emeka Shoremekun from where he is being held captive.

“Our client reposed so much trust and confidence in the police which has waned considerably, but could be revived by a swift action from you.

“Our client is of the view that the power of the Nigeria Police Force has not been fully utilised in finding her son. We are hopeful that you will treat this matter with the urgency it deserves.”