Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have kidnapped a retired headmaster known as Mr. Eliaser Olorunloju.
The incident happened near a Fulani settlement in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
The incident was said to have occurred between Sasaro and Ayetoro, along the dilapidated Igarra- Uneme-Nekhua – Ibillo Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The retired principal was said to have been going back to Ugboshi-ele from Igarra, the headquarters of the local government where he was said to have gone to make photocopies of documents ahead of his son’s resumption at a tertiary institution.
It was learnt on Monday that his abductors have reportedly contacted the family and were demanding N70 million.
Confirming the incident, the Director of Operations and Strategy, Concerned Minds Initiative of Akoko-Edo (CMIA), Comrade Victor Arogunyo said “The incident occurred around Aiyetoro–Somorika Junction, close to a Fulani settlement on the Ibillo–Uneme–Nekhua–Igarra Road. This is another sad reminder that Akoko-Edo is under siege.
“In the last few months, this is about the fight kidnapping that is taking place on the same spot, close to that camp which is less than five minutes trekking away from there.
The government must do something about this. I called his traditional ruler and he said they called on Sunday evening demanding N70 million.”
He listed bad roads, criminal herders, poor funding of security, low morale among vigilantes and hunters, and weak prosecution of arrested suspects as key factors fueling insecurity across the entire Edo North axis.
However, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu could not be reached as at press time.