Residents of Itsukwi, an agrarian community in Ward 9 of Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, are living in fear after suspected kidnappers abducted six teenagers and a farmer in separate incidents on Monday.
The farmer, identified as Alfred Kupa, was reportedly confronted by the armed men while heading to his farm. The six teenagers, meanwhile, were said to have been captured while entering the forest to collect sawn wood for a timber contractor operating in the community.
Following the abductions, security personnel and local residents launched a search across the surrounding forests. The operation involved the police, military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), vigilantes and community youths. Search teams reportedly found blood-stained leaves and two spent AK-47 cartridges in the forest, although there was no immediate indication of who the blood belonged to.
The latest incident comes months after residents of Itsukwi and neighbouring communities in Ivieland suffered other attacks, highlighting the persistent security concerns in the area.
Community youth leader Sule Abako said the kidnappers later contacted the victims’ relatives and demanded N60 million as ransom. According to him, Kupa briefly spoke with his elder brother during the call before the kidnappers took over the conversation, claiming that one of the captives had been badly injured and was losing blood.
The search continued on Tuesday with additional personnel joining the operation, while residents also reported that a police helicopter was used to assist efforts from the air. However, the victims had not been rescued when the report was filed. Ward 9 Councillor Usman Igbasekhe said he had informed Etsako East Local Government Chairman Sunny Akiotu Ekpetika, who promised to intervene.
Community security chairman Bashir Kasim appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Etsako East Local Government authorities to strengthen security in Ivieland, saying repeated attacks have made farming increasingly dangerous and forced some residents to abandon their livelihoods.
