Armed men have freed 15 residents who were kidnapped in Mgbuji Eha-Amufu, a community in the Isi-Uzo local government area of Enugu Stateafter the payment of a ransom of N2 million.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that armed men suspected of being herders abducted community residents as they headed to their farms on July 18.
Community spokesman Chijioke Ogbodo confirmed the development to reporters on Tuesday.
Mr. Ogbodo denounced the frequent attacks in the community.
He said that the kidnappers initially demanded N30 million, but later accepted N2 million given to them by the victims’ families who were unable to provide the previously demanded amount.
“After so many pleas, because the security agencies abandoned us, they (the gunmen) agreed to collect what we have,” Ogbodo said.
“So last week, they were able to accept the N2 million and release it. We thank God that no one was injured,” he added.
However, the community leader did not say when the victims were released.
Police spokesman in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, did not respond to calls and a text message to his hotline at the time of this report.
frequent attacks
Mgbuji and other neighboring communities in Eha-Amufu have been experiencing frequent attacks by suspected herders for some time.
Three people were killed by suspected herders in the community in June.
Last month, gunmen reportedly kidnapped seven residents of the same community and shot three others.
State Police Commissioner Abubakar Lawal visited the area in June, along with senior officials from the State Security Service, the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Air Force, among others, as part of efforts to end attacks in the area.
The attacks have continued despite assurances from security agencies to “strike them decisively.”