Crime

Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Kidnap 11 Passengers on Enugu-Abakaliki Highway

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 20th, 2024.

Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Kidnap 11 Passengers on Enugu-Abakaliki Highway

In a distressing incident, gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen kidnapped 11 passengers at the Amechi-Idodo section of the Enugu-Abakaliki federal highway.

On May 6, 2024, SaharaReporters highlighted a similar attack where gunmen, disguised in military uniforms, ambushed the same road, injuring numerous passengers. These attacks, becoming increasingly frequent, occur near two military checkpoints just after the Ebonyi/Enugu boundary in Idodo, Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State.

The latest abduction occurred on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. The victims, reportedly students from tertiary institutions in Ebonyi State, were traveling in a commercial bus from Awka, Anambra State to Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital. The assailants intercepted the bus at the Amechi-Idodo area before the Enugu/Ebonyi boundary.

A relative of one of the victims, Ogene Festus, informed journalists that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N30 million. Festus expressed his frustration, saying, “From where do we get such kind of money? What baffles me is how these criminals effectively carry out kidnappings in a stretch of less than 1km with seven solid checkpoints—four military and three police checkpoints. Kidnapping on this road has increased since Governor Peter Mbah, from Owoh, a neighboring community to Idodo, increased roadblocks.”

He added, “From 6 pm, you see more than 20 security checkpoints from Eke Obinagu to the Enugu/Ebonyi boundary, a stretch of road less than 4km. Yet, despite these checkpoints, there has not been a week since May without a kidnapping of motorists.”

Joshua Ukandu, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed that the Enugu State Police Command is actively working on the issue. He noted that Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, is collaborating with her Enugu counterpart, Kanayo Uzuegbu, to address the surge in kidnappings along this highway.

In response to the escalating insecurity, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has directed security agencies to intensify their efforts to eliminate the criminal activities plaguing the area.