- The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N30 million
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have abducted 11 passengers at the Amechi-Idodo axis of the Enugu-Abakaliki federal highway. The incident occurred on Tuesday, 16th July, 2024, in an area known for frequent attacks.
The attack took place just four poles from two military checkpoints, immediately after crossing the Ebonyi/Enugu boundary in Idodo, Nkanu East local government area of Enugu State. 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.
A relative of one of the victims, Ogene Festus, informed journalists that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N30 million. “From where do we get such kind of money? What baffled me is how these criminals will effectively carry out kidnapping in a stretch of less than 1km with seven solid checkpoints. Four military checkpoints and three police checkpoints. Kidnapping on the road increased since Governor Peter Mbah, who hails from Owoh, a neighbouring community to Idodo, increased roadblocks.”
Festus added, “From 6pm you see more than 20 security checkpoints from Eke Obinagu to Enugu/Ebonyi boundary, a stretch of road that is less than 4km. Yet despite these checkpoints there was no week since May we have not recorded kidnapping of motorists.”
Joshua Ukandu, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, stated that the Enugu State Police Command is actively working to address the situation. He added that the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Augustina Ogbodo, is collaborating with her Enugu counterpart, Kanayo Uzuegbu, to combat the surge in kidnappings along this stretch of the highway.
In response to the growing insecurity, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah recently directed security agencies to intensify efforts to eradicate the criminal activities plaguing the area.