Admin
Despite the lockdown in Delta State over COVID-19 pandemic, suspected herdsmen, weekend, stormed Azagba-Ogwashi community, Aniocha South Local Government Area of the state, abducting a drink distributor, Mr Greg Azubike.
Azubike’s kidnap came on the heels of the killing of a poultry farm manager and night guard by suspected herdsmen, who invaded the Issele-Azagba farm last Wednesday.
Azubuike is the third victim to be abducted between April 8 and yesterday by suspected herdsmen.
Mr Lawrence Ojeashi was kidnapped April 8 at the Admiralty Neighbourhood Estate, Ibusa and released only after a ransom of N150,000 was paid.
Pattern of operation
One clear pattern by the herdsmen since the lockdown is that they usually invade the homes of their victims from surrounding bushes and often asked them at gunpoint to prepare meals for them. They still took the people hostage after devouring the meals and also confiscate available foodstuff in the homes before leaving with the victims.
So far, security agents have been unable to take the battle to armed herdsmen in their hideouts in the bush, while community vigilante groups were not well equipped to face them in a “forest battle.”
Chisom Orjiogbu
Precious Chukwuwa
