Edo Community, Police Differ On Kidnap Victims

Nine residents of Sobe in Owan West local government area of Edo State were on Wednesday abducted by suspected herders.

Last year, one Omen, Abbey and 12 others were killed by suspected herdsmen in Sobe community. The alarming rate of kidnapping made the federal government to introduce a mini police barrack to oversee Sobe and environs, especially the boundary communities in Ondo State.

However, this measure seems not to have deterred the kidnappers as they struck again on Wednesday.

According to a resident of the area who gave his name as Joseph, the kidnappers, who were herders abducted five women and four men.

 “This morning (Wednesday), nine people were kidnapped by the dreaded herdsmen and their collaborators. The wife of the community youth leader, Mrs Irouje Omian and Mrs Okpor Etok, who sells sachet water, were two of the nine victims.

“The kidnappers blocked the road between Sobe and Agric junction where they waylaid their victims. Before the security could arrive, they have taken the victims into an unknown location.

“It is another nightmare for the people of Sobe community in Owan west local government area of Edo State and her neighbour (Ifon) in Ose local government area of Ondo State as kidnapping activities has since returned despite the siting of a mini barracks in the community,” he added.

The Edo State Command spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, when contacted confirmed the incident but said three persons were kidnapped.

He added, “On March 20, Police received information that hoodlums  suspected to be kidnappers attacked road users coming from Ifon to Sobe by Agric farm along Sobe-Ifon road.

“The information gathered there revealed that two women who were on motorcycle and a driver of truck carrying sachet water were kidnapped by the hoodlums.”

He said the police operatives have been combing the bushes to rescue the victims unhurt.