… Abductors Demand N12m Ransom On A Victim
Fear, anxiety have gripped residents of Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State as five people have been reported kidnapped by suspected criminal Fulani herdsmen who, it was gathered, have taken over the various farm roads in the area.
This incident is coming barely one week after a group from the area – Okpameri Descendants Union (ODU) – condemned what it described as a renewed onslaught by suspected kidnappers and bandits masquerading as herdsmen on Igarra/Ibillo Road especially around Uneme-Nekhua – Ayetoro/Ogbe – Okpameri Junction axis of the road in Akoko-Edo local government area of Edo State.
It was gathered that four people were kidnapped on Wednesday while one was abducted on Tuesday.
Confirming the incident, a top commander of the Vigilante Group said they have been combing the forests in the area.
He said: “They are just picking people everywhere especially around farm road behind the technical college hostel and behind the Gloryland School in Igarra.
“They kidnapped four people yesterday (Wednesday) and then one the day before. They contacted one of the families of the victims and they asked for N12m, they have called only once and since then, they have not called till now.
“About a week ago, they kidnapped four people near Aiyegunle where they killed one person and before then they also kidnaped one person in the same farm road and they collected N1m before he was released and from the testimonies of the victims, they said they are Fulani boys.”
Contacted, the traditional ruler of Igarra/Akuku Clan, HRH, Oba Adeche Saiki JP, the Otaru of Igarra called on the state government to enforce the ban on open grazing in the state which has been passed into law.
Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Command did not succeed as several calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor were not picked and he did not also return calls.