The high profile and well planned out kidnapping of Pastor Joan Onyemaechi, former Commissioner for Technical Education in Asaba, the Delta State capital, left the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in tears.
A credible source on that fateful day of Tuesday 30th July 2024, said the governor had just come out of his office in company of his ADC, Director of Protocol (DOP), Sunday Onoriode, some security aides in government house and others when he received the call, informing him of the abduction of the former lawmaker.
Another source disclosed that the governor immediately summoned the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda for an emergency meeting on the ugly development.
The impeccable source said Oborevwori gave the Police boss a matching order to go after the culprits and report the security situation to him every two hours.
It was gathered that the kidnapping which occured without any security interference gave the governor sleepless nights, as it took place in the capital, thereby sending wrong signals to the outside world about the State.
It was equally learnt that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, gave the Commissioner of Police order to smoke out the masterminds behind the abduction.
Also, when the news of the rumoured death filtered into town, troubled Oborevwori, detailed security operatives to uncover the truth.
However, Onyemaechi’s kinsmen debunked the death, saying the deceased person seen at the river bank was not their sister.
The State Governor activated all security apparatus within the State and neighbouring Anambra State through his governor counterpart, Prof. Charles Soludo, aimed at ensuring that the kidnapped former Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) and House of Representatives member for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, was released unhurt by her abductors.
The efforts of Oborevwori yielded positive responses when on Friday 9th August 2024, the only visible female Anioma politician, dogged, God-fearing, philanthropist, was let out of the web of the men from the underworld to reunite with her family, political and business associates and well wishers who took over all the social media spaces, praying for her safe return.
Her freedom was officially announced by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Edafe Bright, on Friday eve, promising to give details to journalists that besieged his cellphone, calling for updates.
