Fear has gripped the people of Igarra, headquarters of the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State as five persons have been reportedly kidnapped by suspected herdsmen who have taken over the various farm roads in the area.
This incident is coming barely one week after a group from the area, the Okpameri Descendants Union, condemned the renewed onslaught by suspected kidnappers and bandits masquerading as herdsmen on the Igarra-Ibillo Road, especially around Uneme-Nekhua – Ayetoro/Ogbe-Okpameri Junction area of the road.
It was gathered that four people were kidnapped on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 while one was abducted on Tuesday.
Confirming the incident, a top commander of the Vigilante Group who did not want his name in print, said they had been combing the forests in the area for the victims and their abductors.
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 kidnapped 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 also kidnapped one person on the same farm road and they collected N1m before he was released.”
When contacted, the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Adeche Saiki, called on the state government to enforce the ban on open grazing in the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, said he had not received the report of the incident.
