ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Fifteen farmers abducted by gunmen in Mgbuji Eha-Amufu Community in Isi-Uzo local government area of Enugu State, have regained their freedom.
They were kidnapped on 18 July, 2022 near Mgbuji town, while they were going to their farms, by gunmen masquerading as herdsmen.
It was gathered that a N2 million ransom was paid to secure their freedom from the bandits.
The spokesman of Mgbuji Community, Chijioke Ogbodo, confirmed their release on Tuesday, Punch reports.
He revealed that their abductors demanded N30 million but what the families were able to contribute was N2 million.
Ogbodo however, lamented the constant attack of gunmen on the community. He further accused the Fulani militias of acts.
According to him, “After so many pleas, because the security agencies abandoned us, they (the gunmen) accepted to collect what we have. So, last week, they were able to accept the two million naira and released them. We thank God that no one was harmed,” Ogbodo said.
Recall that gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in police and military uniforms had on 5 July, kidnapped seven residents of the same community and killed three others.
Mgbuji and neighbouring communities in Eha-Amufu have been constantly attacked by marauding herders since September 2021.
So many people had been killed, and several houses and properties worth millions of naira had been destroyed. So many others were equally kidnapped for ransom.
Meanwhile, efforts to get a reaction from the Enugu State Police Command were unsuccessful as the Command’s spokesman, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, didn’t take his calls.