Armed kidnappers wielding AK-47 rifles have made Edo and Delta states their stronghold, turning victims and their families into sources of endless cash. Between January and May, more than 50 people were abducted in these South-South communities. Instead of withdrawing money from banks, kidnappers demand ransom payments in cash, treating the victims’ families as their personal ATMs.
Contrary to popular belief, the kidnappers are not only Fulani herdsmen who whisk victims into forests. Local gangs have formed in towns like Ubulu-Uku and Ogwashi-Uku, with some residents involved in kidnappings for quick profits. In one chilling incident, a well-known motorcyclist who recognized a masked kidnapper from his village was shot dead on the spot. His death caused shock and fear throughout the neighborhood.
A major dispute erupted in Igueben after the traditional ruler, Enogie Friday Ehizogie, was abducted with five others in February. Police claimed no ransom was paid, asserting the monarch was rescued through their efforts. However, a local lawmaker revealed the community paid the ransom, contradicting the police statement and highlighting a cover-up.
In Delta’s Ukwuani area, kidnappers abducted a housewife and her two children in March, demanding N30 million to release them. In Edo, a man and a woman were held hostage and forced to pay N10 million before their release. The kidnappers responsible for this were later arrested and publicly displayed by the police.
These kidnappings reveal a disturbing trend of locals joining criminal gangs, turning once peaceful communities into hubs of ransom extortion. Families live in constant fear, forced to raise large sums under tight deadlines or risk losing loved ones. The cycle of violence and cash demands continues to grow, leaving residents trapped in a dangerous game with kidnappers calling all the shots.
