Pastor Akamnonu, a native of Ndiakunwata-Uno, Arondizuogu, in Ideato North Local Council of Imo State, was reported missing on Monday, February 24.
According to his wife, he had failed to return to his base in Aba, Abia State, after visiting his hometown to inspect a piece of land on behalf of his elder brother, Mazi Cyprian Chukwuemeka Akamnonu, who resides in the United States.
Mrs. Akamnonu recounted that her husband had travelled to Arondizuogu on Sunday, February 23, at the request of Mazi Cyprian, to meet a land seller, Mazi Ebere Onyenucheya.
After spending the night at their country home, he proceeded the next morning to inspect the property, reportedly owned by Mr. Umualaoma’s brother.
His mobile phone remained active on the morning of February 24, as he briefly spoke with one of his wife’s business clients.
However, shortly afterward, his phone became unreachable, raising concerns about his safety.
Alarmed by his sudden disappearance, Mrs. Akamnonu reached out to her husband’s relatives in the village, only to be told that he had supposedly departed for Aba the previous day.
Conflicting accounts regarding the exact timing of his departure deepened fears of foul play.
According to Guardian, she lamented, “I was instantly panic-stricken when conflicting narratives began to emerge about when my husband left the village for Aba.
“It has been over a month now, and all efforts to trace his whereabouts have been unsuccessful.”
Expressing deep distress, Mrs. Akamnonu called for the immediate intervention of security agencies to secure the safe return of her husband, whom she described as a man of high moral standing with no known enemies.
“I am traumatised day and night. Whoever is holding him should please release him alive. He does not engage in any controversies. I plead with the police and the DSS to intensify efforts to find him,” she added.
A formal petition was submitted to the Imo State Commissioner of Police through the family’s legal representative, A.O. Amagwula & Co.
Also, the family lawyer, Arinzechukwu Nwaudo, confirmed that a similar petition had been lodged with the DSS in Owerri, Imo State.
“We have taken the necessary steps to involve both the police and DSS to locate and rescue our client’s husband.
“The circumstances surrounding Pastor Akamnonu’s disappearance raise strong suspicions of a possible conspiracy or kidnapping. We trust law enforcement to unravel this mystery,” Nwaudo stated.
Responding to the petition, Imo State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, acknowledged the case, confirming that Commissioner Danjuma had assigned a team of officers to investigate the incident.
He reassured the public of the police’s commitment to protecting lives and property in the state.
“Investigations are ongoing, and security agencies have urged anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist in locating Pastor Akamnonu,” he said.
