NewsFemale farmer, tricycle operator rescued from kidnappers in Umuahia
Residents of Umuawa Alaocha in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State have successfully rescued two abducted Ohuhu indigenes, Mr. Dennis Izuchukwu and Mrs. Onyinyechi Ekechukwu, who were reportedly kidnapped by suspected herdsmen on Wednesday.
The victims, identified as Dennis Izuchukwu, a tricycle rider, and Onyinyechi Ekechukwu, a farmer, were seized around 5:00 p.m., sparking an immediate search operation by youths from Umuawa Alaocha and neighbouring communities.
Their efforts paid off shortly after midnight when the captives were located and freed from the forest, although both sustained various injuries during their ordeal.
Narrating his experience from a hospital bed, Izuchukwu explained that he had been hired by Mrs. Ekechukwu to transport cassava harvested from her farm in Umuawa Alaocha.
According to him, they were on their way back when they encountered about six suspected herdsmen. He said one of the men suddenly emerged from the bush wielding a firearm.
“At first, I thought it was a prank, but within moments, several others appeared from different directions and surrounded us,” he recounted.
Izuchukwu said the abductors forced them through dense forest paths, where they allegedly identified themselves as bandits and demanded a ransom of N10 million each before they could be released.
He further revealed that Mrs. Ekechukwu pleaded with the kidnappers, telling them she could only raise N50,000. The request reportedly infuriated the abductors, who then assaulted her.
During the captivity, Izuchukwu disclosed that one member of the gang suggested killing them, but another reportedly intervened and stopped the plan.
Reacting to the incident, the member representing Umuahia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Anderson Akaliro, condemned the activities of bandits within the constituency.
Akaliro expressed concern over the severe machete wounds inflicted on the male victim and commended the bravery and swift response of local vigilantes and community youths whose efforts led to the successful rescue of the victims.