Not less than 10 persons have been kidnapped at different intervals in Igarra community, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State by suspected herdsmen.
The multiple abductions have put the community into great fear over the activities of the herdsmen, who have taken over all access and farm roads to Igarra.
The incidents led to a condemnation by the Okpameri Descendants Union over what it called 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 LGA of the state.
According to Punch, four persons were kidnapped on Wednesday while one was picked on Tuesday.
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A top vigilante commander in the area confirmed that four persons were kidnapped on Wednesday, while another was abducted on Tuesday.
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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 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.”
Also, the traditional ruler of the Igarra/Akuku clan, the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Adeche Saiki (JP), called on the state government to “enforce the ban on open grazing in the state which has been passed into law.”