Socio-Cultural Group Condemns Renewed Kidnapping, Banditry In Nigeria’s Edo

Socio-cultural group Okpameri Descendants Union (ODU) has condemned the renewed onslaught by bandits and kidnappers disguised as herdsmen in the Akoko-Edo local government area in the state of Edo.

ODU spokesperson Victor Arogunyo said on Sunday that the government and security agencies need to focus on the Fulani camp around the Uneme-Ayetoro area, noting that the area witnessed criminal activities almost every day.

Arogunyo said a Catholic man was kidnapped on July 18 and released on July 21 morning after he paid a massive ransom to the kidnappers, New Telegraph reported.

He pointed out another incident when a man from Lampese and his sister were robbed in the same area on July 20, while the siblings were on their way from Igarra to Ibillo. The man was reportedly attacked with a machete during the robbery.

"Two weeks ago, armed robbers and kidnappers took over Ayetoro/Ogbe/Somorika Junctions for several hours," he added, Punch reported. "It took the intervention of Igarra Police Division to clear the road for travelers to proceed on their journey."

"On Saturday around 3:30 pm. ... kidnappers and bandits reigned supreme around Ayetoro axis of Igarra/Ibillo Road that led to the killing of a young man from Ayegunle while his sibling and others were forcefully taken away into the bush."

According to Arogunyo, the "efforts by members of the vigilante group and hunters in neighboring areas to secure the release of the abductees has proved abortive." He, therefore, urged the communities to "establish a vigilante and hunter groups to support the ones already existing in that area."

ODU has requested government and security agencies' attention ahead of the Igarra Aba Day, which is celebrated every seven years in Igarra land in August. It is one of the biggest indigenous festivals in West Africa, attracting local and international tourists.

Reportedly, nine travelers were kidnapped on July 21 in Oben, which is a town between Edo and Delta states.

Such criminal incidents are not new near Edo as last year, the state government discovered 10 dead bodies of 10 young men, aged between 23 and 25, in the bushes.

Nigeria has been affected by several internal conflicts, including bandits and kidnappers harassing certain communities. It was reported on July 12 that local bandits and jihadists have imposed a tax on farmers in the Tangaza/Gudu federal constituency.

The former prime minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, also addressed the bandits and terrorists' issue in Nigeria earlier this year and said they would eventually be defeated.