The operatives reportedly disguised themselves as kidnappers and stormed Kachukwu’s home in Iru Nebo village, abducting his mother at around 6:00 p.m. Family members claimed that Mrs. Regina was taken to an unknown location
By Boniface Okeke I Thursday, February 13, 2025
AWKA, Anambra – At approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2025, Mrs. Odinankpa Nene Regina was “kidnapped” from her home in Iru Nebo village, Enugwu-Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Mrs. Odinankpa is the mother of Mr. Odinankpa Cornel Kachukwu, 27 years old, who serves as the second-in-command to the missing Director of GSS Security Company and Vice-Chairman of Dubai Estate, Awka, Mr. Benjamin Ezenma, widely known as “Big Ben” among his admirers. Big Ben has been missing since November 12, 2024.
Earlier on that fateful November 12, Big Ben had kept a business appointment with the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mango and Properties Limited, Awka, Ozo Jeff Nweke. The meeting was held at the company’s corporate headquarters, adjacent a commercial bank along Chief S. M. Okeke Street, Awka.
After his meeting with Ozo Nweke, Big Ben returned safely to his hotel room at Maxbe Continental Hotel, situated opposite the main gate of Udoka Housing Estate, Awka, along the popular Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
According to a statement from his wife, which went viral on social media, Big Ben left the hotel at around 6:18 p.m. on that same day to attend another meeting with someone referred to as “Loco.” Since then, Big Ben has been missing and has not been seen again.
Ozo Jeff Nweke and his close associates have been implicated and are being pursued by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with Big Ben’s sudden disappearance.
Prominent indigenes of Ozo Jeff Nweke’s Ezinano community in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, have firmly described the allegations against him as a set-up. They referred to Ozo Nweke as an “illustrious son and a great philanthropist” who cares for widows, champions youth empowerment, and fights crime.
The respected Ezinano community members, which include professionals of repute, have urged security operatives to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations against Ozo Nweke to avoid any “miscarriage of justice.”
Interestingly, recent developments regarding Big Ben’s disappearance strongly suggest a potential conflict of business interests or betrayal within the Dubai Estate management team.
The arrest of Kachukwu, Big Ben’s second-in-command at GSS Security Company, on Sunday, February 9, was linked to these latest revelations.
Since Big Ben’s disappearance in December, Kachukwu had allegedly conspired with the Chairman of Dubai Estate, Mr. Chukwudi, to alter business documents in a bid to shut Big Ben out of the business.
In light of this discovery, security operatives have intensified their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Big Ben’s disappearance and his co-business partners.
Kachukwu, identified as one of the primary suspects, has reportedly been in hiding since December.
To track him down, security operatives decided to use his mother as bait. They orchestrated the alleged kidnapping of Mrs. Regina on Sunday, February 9, as part of their plan.
The operatives reportedly disguised themselves as kidnappers and stormed Kachukwu’s home in Iru Nebo village, abducting his mother at around 6:00 p.m. Family members claimed that Mrs. Regina was taken to an unknown location.
Later that same evening, at around 8:00 p.m., Kachukwu received a call from the abductors, who instructed him to come and pick up his mother at a specific location.
Before going, Kachukwu reportedly visited the Nimo police station with several uncles. Two unarmed policemen in civilian clothes were assigned to accompany him.
Upon arrival at the location where his mother was being held, the security operatives released Mrs. Regina but arrested Kachukwu. Initially, his family believed he had been exchanged for his mother, but they were later informed that he was under the custody of security forces.
Kachukwu’s arrest led to the abrupt adjournment of the scheduled arraignment of Ozo Nweke and two others at the Anambra State High Court in Awka on Tuesday, February 11, in connection with Big Ben’s disappearance.
It is understood that the circumstances surrounding Kachukwu’s arrest provided fresh insight into the true cause of Big Ben’s disappearance. The prosecution now aims to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that the real culprits are brought to justice.
NB: Boniface Okeke wrote from AWKA, Anambra State
