KIDNAPPERS appear to have laid siege on Ogwashi-Uku following the incessant cases of kidnapping currently ravaging the community,

Recent findings from security sources indicated that hardly a week goes by without one abduction incident or the other; just as investigation has shown that shops and most residents of certain areas in Isah-Road axis where the kidnapping cases are rampant now stay indoors from 7pm for fear of the hoodlums.

Some residents of Dac Chukwurah street, Ogbe-Ofu axis, Azungwu axis, Agidiehe farm road axis and back of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), who confided in our correspondent said they no longer come out once it is 7pm.

One of the residents, who gave his name as Alfred told Ogwashi-Uku Metro that they now live in fear. “We just have to face the reality of what is happening in Ogwashi-Uku now.

“There are no pretences about it. The community is under siege. And the kidnappers appear to have concentrated their illicit trade on this area.

“Therefore, coming out once it is 7pm in the evening is no longer safe. That these people are desperate to abduct teenagers speaks volumes”, he said.

A trader around Dac Chukwurah street axis, explained that she is already considering closing permanently until the kidnapping abates.

“How can I be running a business that is less than N100,000 and be risking my freedom? I am only doing this business to support my husband financial standing as his salary in this bad economy of Tinubu can no longer sustain the home.

“But will it not be bad if these criminals who are now prowling everywhere get at someone who cannot afford three square meals a day? So, I am considering closing down the business until something positive starts happening from the security angle”, he said.

But a community security source in Ogwashi-Uku metropolis disclosed to our correspondent that while they are battling to nip the incidents on the bud, the criminals continue to device new tactics.

The local security source who is a member of Delta State Volunteer Security Corps otherwise known as Ogwashi-Uku community vigilante group, said that they are not getting the needed support to battle the hoodlums.

While there are about two other vigilante groups in the community, such as the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), the security source emphasized that tackling insecurity does not bother on having numerous outfits, but rather funding the existing one to perform optimally

Recall that the Aniocha South Chairman of the group, Chief James Adoh at a recent meeting at Ubulu-Unor had lamented that inadequate funding is the basic challenge facing the vigilante group.

“The major challenge we are facing is poor funding. The local government which is near to us should as a matter of urgency, put in a place a trust fund for the vigilante outfit.

“It must be realized that our outfit is a voluntary one and our members are equally family men who have personal responsibilities to cater for.

“Without proper funding, it will even be easier for us to bring in more younger volunteers. But as it stands now, many younger ones are shying away from joining us because, they feel it is a thankless job we are doing”, he had said.

Collaborating, a vigilante source in Ogwashi-Uku metropolis noted that the spate of the operation in the community calls for the support and collaboration of all if the crime must be brought to a halt.

He recounted that apart from other kidnap cases, a top NDLEA officer was recently kidnapped while some students of Ngwu Mixed Secondary School are the recent victims.

“The case has become so bad that I have every reasonable reason to believe that these young men who are into hard drug intake have joined the foray as a way of raising money to purchase these hard drug called ‘Ice’.

“These desperately evil ones even collect N150,000 as ransome. This will show you the dept they have sunk. Therefore, we need support, both financial and otherwise to battle these criminals”, he said.

 …As Teenage Girl Narrowly Escapes

A teenager has narrowly escaped a three-man gang of kidnappers.

The incident was reported to have occurred somewhere around the end of Delta Preparatory Group of Schools Street by Agidiehe farm road axis.

The victim was said to have gone to throw away refuse at the refuse dump close to their residence at about 8:00pm on the fateful day.

The three-man gang was said to be operating with a Qlink brand of motorcycle.

A member of Ogwashi-Uku vigilante who confided on our correspondent explained that for the smartness of the girl in beating the kidnappers attempt, she would have been abducted.

Findings revealed that the hoodlums with the motorcycle, in an attempt to abduct the girl had pointed the gun they were armed with at the girl.

He said the bailing of the girl maybe intended to frighten the teenage girl to be surrounded, but not minding the gun, the girl ran blindly for her life, raising alarm simultaneously.

“It was the shouting of the girl that attracted the attention of residents of the area and the girl’s mother. A good Samaritan alerted us and we raced to the scene.

“But before we got there, the hoodlums have escaped. We had to escort the little girl and her mother to their house that is somewhere close to the scene of crime

“Obviously the criminals are lucky, but I know that their luck will not carry them far. One day will be one day and their luck will run out”, he said.

Recall that kidnapping has become the order of the day now in Ogwashi- Uku metropolis. At the last count, no fewer than 12 people have been abducted and ransom paid, disclosed a local security source.