Brave youths of Ohuhu community in Umuahia North, Abia State, on Friday, engaged suspected Fulani bandits and rescued two residents who had been kidnapped.
Reports describe the victims as Madam Onyinyechi Jonathan Ekechukwu – a widow with four children, and a commercial tricycle (Keke) rider, Mr. Dennis Okechi – were abducted on Wednesday, June 10, while returning from their farm.
Describing the incident, Ekechukwu disclosed that the armed men suddenly emerged from the bush and forced them into the forest.
The youths, following the incident, organised a search, and found the victims in a forest where the kidnappers were hiding them.
“We were already riding home when we were suddenly stopped on the way by Fulani bandits who jumped out from the bush. They dragged us out of the Keke and marched us into the bush. We pleaded with them to have mercy on us, but they threatened to kill us if we shouted,” she narrated.
According to her, the kidnappers moved them through the forest for several hours before demanding N10 million ransom from their families.
“When they abducted us about 3:00pm, the six-man gang collected our phones and kept moving us through the thick forest until about 10:00pm when they brought out our phones and asked us to call our people for ransom. They said we should pay N10 million,” Madam Onyiyenchi added.
She said their captors abandoned them after youths from the community stormed the forest in large numbers and closed in on their hideout.
“Shortly afterwards, we started hearing gunshots followed by flashes of torchlight from our youths on a rescue mission. When their advancement became more intense and closer, the bandits suspected that they were being surrounded by the search party,” she said.
“Sensing danger, the bandits abandoned us, crossed the river and fled. It was at that point that we started shouting and the youths, who had stormed the forest in their numbers, quickly located us and rescued us.”
The widow said she feared she would not return alive, especially as her thoughts went to her children and her son studying at the University of Benin.
“That thought made me pray harder to God so I could set my eyes on my son again. I thank God He answered my prayers,” she said.
She praised the youths of Ohuhu for their bravery, saying their quick intervention saved her and the tricycle rider’s lives.
Ekechukwu also spoke about the ongoing problem of herders invading farmlands, saying crops have been destroyed and little has been done to help.
She urged the government and security agencies to take decisive action against kidnapping, open grazing, and the movement of armed people through forests and farmlands.
This incident happened as worries about abductions are rising across the country. Many communities in different states are still dealing with attacks, ransom demands, and victims being held for long periods.
