The Relentless Fear: Edo North Grapples with Incessant kidnappings

The Relentless Fear: Edo North Grapples with Incessant kidnappings

Habiba Sam 

Edo North, especially in the Akoko-Edo area where kidnappings have become a sickening daily norm. It's so bad that the local government and traditional rulers have had to put a curfew in place from 9 PM to 6 AM, just to try and stem the tide.

This past week alone saw two more horrifying incidents. First, on February 8th, daring kidnappers stormed the Makeke Primary Health Centre. 

They snatched Tope Oriloye, a secondary school student, and Samuel Ilesanmi, who was just trying to get help for his son. The audacity! Then, in a separate but equally terrifying operation, Inspector Segun Obanowa, his wife, and daughter were abducted right from their home in Auchi.

 His wife was later released with the impossible task of finding a N100 million ransom for her husband and daughter.

Bode Ekundayo, the National Coordinator for the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, confirmed that the kidnappers are already demanding a staggering N100 million for Tope and Samuel. He pointed out this chilling new trend of starting negotiations with such an exorbitant amount.

It's clear Akoko-Edo is under siege. Hunters and vigilantes are out there, combing the wilderness to no avail. 

This isn't just an isolated incident; it's an incessant, escalating crisis, with fears that armed groups from neighboring states are exploiting the vast wilderness of Akoko Edo as an entry point. 

The Edo State government and local authorities have to step up and rescue these communities from this terrifying onslaught. 

The Edo State Police Command's PPRO, Eno Ikoedem, sadly confirmed these relentless incidents.