Vigilante Rescues Teenager In Edo, Kidnapped Retired Teacher Still Held

Relief came into the Ayogwiri community in Etsako West local government area in Edo State as vigilante members rescued a 12-year-old girl who was kidnapped by suspected herdsmen a few days ago.

The teenager was abducted on October 10, while returning from the farm with her mother and other women.

It was gathered that local vigilantes, drawn from Ayogwiri and surrounding villages, rescued her unhurt and without payment of a ransom.

But the situation is not the same in Aiyegunle, Akoko-Edo local government area as a retired teacher identified as Eliaser Olorunloju kidnapped six days ago is still with the kidnappers as it was gathered that the abductors were asking for N4 million.

Meanwhile, a woman from the same axis simply identified as Mrs Alao escaped from her abductors after she raised the alarm while they were trying to take her away.

Olorunloju was kidnapped seven days ago near a Fulani settlement around Ayetoro along the dilapidated Igarra- Uneme-Nekhua – Ibillo road while going back to Ugboshi-ele from Igarra, the headquarters of the local government, where he was said to have gone to make photocopies of documents ahead of his son’s resumption at a tertiary institution.

A resident in the area, Kayode Alabi said they are under siege and called on the government and security agencies to come to their rescue as everybody in the area rushes home before 4 pm daily for fear of being kidnapped.

Reports from Ugboshi-Afe within the same area said a farmer who went to his farm around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday has not returned, a search party found only his shirt and shoes at the farm, heightening fears among villagers.

Alabi said, “The daring posture of these kidnappers is alarming and terrifying. We are living in fear every day.

“We are appealing to security agencies and the Edo State Government to strengthen security across Akoko-Edo to safeguard lives and restore confidence.

“Ugboshi-Afe remains in a state of confusion as the search for the missing farmer continues.”