Fulani Herdsmen Release Abducted Enugu Auditor After N700,000 Ransom

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Fulani Herdsmen Release Abducted Enugu Auditor After N700,000 Ransom

The Enugu State auditor, who was kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen along Nsukka-Adani highway has been freed.

The victim, Mr. Ogbobe Stephen, was released after the family had dropped the sum of N700,000 at a designated place in Amokwu community, Udi local government area of Enugu State.

Ogbobe, it could be recalled, was kidnapped last Saturday by herdsmen while returning from a town hall meeting at Ukpabi community.

He reportedly ran into a road block mounted by Fulani herdsmen around 4pm, from where he was dragged into the bush.

His abductors opened discussion with the family, demanding N5m ransom, which they later reduced to N1.5m the following day.

However, when the family could not meet up, they settled for N700,000.

According to the source, “they initially directed us to drop the ransom at Opi-junction in Nsukka local government area; while at the junction, the kidnappers directed us to move to Ogbede junction in Igbo-Etiti local government area.

“On getting to Ogbede junction, the kidnappers instructed us to proceed to Amokwu Affa junction, in Udi local government area, close to a primary school, where two Fulani herdsmen emerged with pump action guns and collected the ransom.

“They asked us to move quickly while the man was released at a different location.”

Efforts made to speak with Ogbobe proved abortive as he was said to be receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Nsukka.

When contacted for comment, the transition committee chairman, Uzo-Uwani local government area, Cornell Onwubuya expressed happiness over the release of the state auditor, explaining that he was released unconditionally.

Onwubuya noted that both the police Area command, Nsukka, Adani police division, Umulokpa police division and over 30 local vigilante groups had intensified efforts to counter the excessive attack by Fulani herdsmen along Nsukka-Adani highway.