Palpable tension pervades the pastoral community of Igarra in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of Edo, following the kidnapping of not fewer than five people by suspected Fulani herdsmen, who were said to have taken over the farm roads in the locality.
The victims, Nigerian Tribune gathered, were kidnapped between Tuesday and Wednesday, with one kidnapped on Tuesday and the remaining four kidnapped on Wednesday on the various farm roads in the area.
It be recalled that just last week, a socio-cultural group in the area, the Okpameri Descendants Union(ODU), condemned the 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.
This was just as 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”
Confirming the incident, a top commander of the Vigilante Group in the locality, said they had been combing the forests in the area adding that “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 kidnapped one person on 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,” the vigilante said.
When contacted, the Edo State Police Command spokesman, Chido Nwabuzor, said that the report of the incident had not been brought to his attention.
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