There is growing concern in Enugu-Ezike, Igbo Eze North local government area of Enugu State following the abduction of more than 35 passengers by suspected herdsmen.
The incident occurred on Thursday, January 9, 2025, along the Enugu-Nsukka Road.
Three buses were attacked, and while four Nigerian Army personnel were initially taken, one soldier, PTE Usendu Emediong (24NA/87/7560), managed to escape.
However, PTE Usoro Ezekiel Paul (24NA/87/6751), Jeremiah Inimbom Thomas (24NA/87/7937), and PTE Victor Itiat Godwin (24NA/87/8348) were among those taken, along with the other passengers.
An eyewitness described the harrowing scene: “The kidnappers, numbering 17, marched all the passengers into the bush after operating for an hour.”
“Not far from where I’m lodging in my hometown in Enugu-Ezike, a 17-member ragtag Fulani herdsmen kidnap gang operated for about 60 minutes on a busy road that links the eastern part to the northern part of the country. The road is bad,”
The eyewitness continued “they successfully attacked three 18-seater buses and kidnapped at least 35 people from these buses forcefully. In the course of moving the victims into the bush, one of them managed to escape. It was when he came out that he narrated how they were kidnapped and we got to know he is a soldier.”
“He said he and three other soldiers were going from Akwa Ibom to Kaduna State in one of the commercial vehicles.”
The situation escalated when local hunters from the village encountered the kidnappers in the bush but were forced to hide.
“Yesterday, local hunters, about three of them from my village on their usual routine encountered the kidnappers in the bush but had to hide. They heard one of the victims complaining that he couldn’t continue walking as he was tired, but guess what? He was shot dead.”
“Hours after, both the local hunters and the military operatives entered the bush and saw the dead body, which was later taken to the morgue.”
As the search continued, a helicopter hovered over the area, causing further unease among villagers, though no rescue operation was seen.
“This Sunday morning, a helicopter has been hovering around this town causing apprehension among villagers, though without any rigid invasion to rescue the victims. I believe the Fulani herders and the victims are not still in the bush.”
Meanwhile, a military signal obtained by SaharaReporters confirmed the abduction of the soldiers.
The signal revealed the soldiers, part of the 87 Regular Recruits Intake (87RRI), were kidnapped along the Enugu-Nsukka Road.
“TEXT: SPECIAL SITREP. NO0 AS AT 110900A JAN 25. KIDNAPPING AT ABOUT 101515A JAN 25 INFO RECEIVED FROM 24NA/87/7560 PTE USENDU EMEDIONG ETIM REVEALED THAT 3 X SLDRS OF 87RRI CMM 24NA/87/6751 PTE USORO EZEKIEL PAUL WITH PHONE NO 070****** CMM 24NA/87/7937 PTE JEREMIAH INIMBOM THOMAS WITH PHONE NO 080******* AND 24NA/87/8348 PTE ITIAT VICTOR GODWIN WITH PHONE NO 080****** WHILE RTN FROM PASS WERE KIDNAPPED ALONG ENUGU – NSUKKA RD AT ABOUT 091740A JAN 25 IN A COMMERCIAL VEH FROM AKWA IBOM TO KADUNA STATE. REQ YOU FWD INFO TO ASA FOR NEC ACTION. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION IN PROGRESS. PSE ACK,” the military signal, released by Major AE Edet, read.
