Female farmer and tricycle driver rescued from kidnappers in Umuahia

Community youths in Umuawa Alaocha, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, entered the forest to rescue two kidnapped residents of Ohuhu: Mr. Dennis Izuchukwu, a tricycle operator, and Mrs. Onyinyechi Ekechukwu, a farmer. The pair had been abducted by suspected herdsmen on Wednesday evening.

The abduction occurred at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday. In response, youths from Umuawa Alaocha and nearby villages began a search that culminated at midnight when the victims were freed from captivity, though they had sustained varying injuries.

From his hospital bed after the rescue, Mr. Izuchukwu explained that the incident began when Mrs. Ekechukwu hired his services to transport cassava she had harvested from her farm in Umuawa Alaocha. While returning, they encountered roughly six suspected herdsmen. One of the men emerged from the bush with a gun, prompting Mr. Izuchukwu to say, “I initially thought it was a joke, but before I knew it, others came out from different directions and surrounded us.”

According to Mr. Izuchukwu, the kidnappers dragged them along a narrow path deep into the forest and identified themselves as bandits. They demanded a ransom of N10 million each for their release. Mrs. Ekechukwu pleaded that she could only afford N50,000, a statement that reportedly enraged the abductors, who began beating her.

During the ordeal, one of the kidnappers suggested shooting the pair, but another member urged Mr. Izuchukwu to hold on.

Speaking about the rescue, Anderson Akaliro, the member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing the Umuahia North Constituency, condemned the intrusion of bandits into his constituency. He lamented that the male victim suffered serious machete wounds during the attack and praised the patriotic and courageous actions of the community vigilante group and other youths who rescued the victims.