Tension is once again brewing in Uzo-Uwani local government area of Enugu state following the abduction of six taxi passengers including the driver on Wednesday evening.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that the incident happened along Nsukka/Nrobo road at about 6pm.
Our source revealed that the taxi was coming from Nsukka to Abbi en route Nrobo community when they were waylaid by their abductors at Nrobo farm land, a bushy bypass, forcing them down from the vehicle before they were taken away by these gun men.
An eye witness who is a teacher in one of the public primary schools in the community told our reporter that ” that fateful day, as I was coming back from work, I saw some men numbering about ten in black and black, wielding guns. I ran back on my motorbike for fear of abduction. Few minutes later, I summoned up much courage and rode back with my bike only to discover that those men were local security men of Nrobo community. They told me they were on security alert as there was suspicious movement by unknown persons in the community. ”
Narrating further, the teacher told WITHIN NIGERIA that “in the evening of that same day, I was told that six persons including the driver have been abducted by these hoodlums. I couldn’t go to work again the following day because I don’t know what may happen to me.”
However, WITHIN NIGERIA, gathered that the road has become a hot bed of robbery, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the recent time. Few months ago, three persons were also abducted along the same road. They were said to have been released after an undisclosed amount was paid as ransom.
Our source also revealed that in May 2022, a husband and wife coming back from farm were abducted by gun men. Though the husband escaped, huge sum of money was paid before the wife could be released. This was coming two weeks after a teenage girl coming back from Nrobo to Nsukka was raped to death.
In the meantime, the abductors of these seven persons have made contact with their relations, demanding thirty million naira as ransom.
Our source revealed that the contact was made on Thursday night, threatening to kill all of them if their demand was not met.
WITHIN NIGERIA source explained that ” they have made contact this night demanding N30m. But where on earth are their relations going to get this kind of money. They have not even bargained because they don’t even know what to tell them. The driver, Mathias by name is a poor person. I don’t even think he is the owner of the bus. These are poor petty traders coming back from one of these local markets after selling their wares.”
When our reporter contacted the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu state command, Mr. Daniel Ndukwe for confirmation, he couldn’t pick his call.
However, a senior police officer at Ukpabi police divisional headquarters who spoke under anonymity told WITHIN NIGERIA that they are still investigating the incident.