by Anike Jacobs

A 300-Level English Language and Literature student of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, Annabel Nzubechukwu Edeh, went missing six weeks ago after visiting a  night club off-campus.

According to Oluchukwu Igwe, a 500 level chemical Engineering student of the school, Annabel had visited Lounge 24, a night club in Awka, the Anambra State capital, with  six of her friends  girls, on the 17th of September – only for the others to return without her the next morning.

Her friends claimed Annabel left at midnight with a guy she met at the club and they haven’t heard from her since then.

One of Annabel’s friend and hostel mate, Ifeoma, who spoke to the Nation newspaper, said after clubbing, the girls decided to find a place to sleep before returning to their hostels, however, Annabel, bade them bye and left with one Mmiri, a male acquaintance, she met at the club. She was said to have told her friends that she was in need of money, which could have informed her decision to go away with the guy.

Annabel’s roommate, Ukamaka also said “Annabel told me she was going to the club that evening. Her friends, Ada and Chika, waited in the compound till they were joined by their other friends. I had a premonition of the incident in a dream I had the previous night. I told her not to go to the club but she refused. When the other three girls arrived, they all left together. When she did not return in the morning, I called her line but nobody picked. Later, a man claimed he found it.”

Asked to describe the kind of person Annabel is, Ukamaka said that her roommate is a good Christian and hardworking, saying Annabel is a good tailor. “I believe Annabel is a victim of circumstance,” Ukamaka said.

When she did not return in the morning, it was learnt that Ada and Chika called Annabel’s phone but were disappointed to hear a male voice claiming to have found the phone on the ground and asked the ‘owner’ to come for it.

Ada and Chika, it was gathered, retrieved the phone and contacted Annabel’s elder brother, Ifeanyi, who reported the matter at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Awka.

When contacted on the phone, it was learnt that Mmiri claimed Annabel left his house at 3:30am when she refused to enter his room.

But, after the conversation, Mmiri reportedly switched off his phone and stopped going to a popular bar, where he drinks with his friends. He is nowhere to be found.

Ifeanyi said his family remained devastated by the incident. “We are devastated at the moment. When I received the news, I travelled from Onitsha to Awka to report the matter at the police station. The matter is still being attended to at SCID and “B” Division. We have even gone spiritual to seek God’s help to find my missing sister. Our Dad is late but mum is highly dis-organised.”

Sola