Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Tension continues to grip the Ezimo and Obollo-Eke communities in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State after several residents abducted in recent coordinated attacks were released following the payment of a substantial ransom to their captors. The victims, who endured days in captivity under harsh conditions, were freed late Thursday after families and community negotiators reportedly struggled to raise the demanded amount.
According to multiple community sources, the abductors maintained strict communication channels, warning families against involving security agencies. Negotiations were described as “traumatic and emotionally draining,” as family members pooled resources, sold valuables, and appealed for financial support to meet the kidnappers’ staggering demands. Though the exact ransom amount remains undisclosed, residents confirmed it was “significantly high” and beyond what many struggling households could afford.
The victims were abducted during a string of late-night ambushes that sent shockwaves across Udenu. Armed men reportedly stormed the communities, shooting sporadically and forcibly taking residents from their homes and along isolated routes. The attacks, which occurred within a short period, worsened fears that kidnappers have found a new operational base in the area.
Residents who spoke on condition of anonymity said those released appeared visibly traumatized and exhausted, with some requiring medical attention. Community members have since intensified calls for improved security presence, warning that criminal groups are becoming bolder and more coordinated.
Local leaders expressed frustration over what they described as a “worryingly slow” government response, insisting that the security vacuum has made rural communities dangerously vulnerable. They urged the Enugu State Government, the police, and other security agencies to deploy more personnel, reinforce intelligence gathering, and restore confidence among residents who now live in fear of further attacks.
For many families, the release of the abducted victims has brought relief, but the broader atmosphere remains tense. Community members say the situation highlights the escalating insecurity in parts of Enugu State, where kidnappings, armed robbery, and violence have risen sharply in recent months.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the latest developments, but residents continue to press for decisive action to prevent future tragedies.
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