Normalcy has returned to Ayogwiri community in the 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 girl was abducted on October 10 while returning from the farm with her mother and other women.
It was gathered that the local vigilantes drawn from Ayogwiri and the surrounding villages rescued her unhurt and without ransom payment.
But the situation is different in Aiyegunle, Akoko-Edo local government Area, where a retired teacher, Eliaser Olorunloju, who was kidnapped six days ago, is still held.
It was gathered that the abductors were asking for N4 million.
Olorunloju was kidnapped seven days ago near a Fulani settlement around Ayetoro along the deplorable Igarra-Uneme-Nekhua–Ibillo Road while going back to Ugboshi-Ele from Igarra, the headquarters of the local government, to make photocopies of documents ahead of his son’s resumption at a tertiary institution.
A resident in the area, Kayode Alabi, said they were under siege and called on the government and security agencies to protect them as they must rush home before 4 pm daily for fear of being kidnapped.
Reports from Ugboshi-Afe within the same area indicated that a resident who went to his farm around 4:00 pm on Wednesday has yet to return. 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 in Akoko-Edo to safeguard lives.
