Six suspected kidnappers have been apprehended by the Umunede Vigilante group in collaboration with other local security outfits in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
The suspects were caught at Idumuesah Oba Community farmland in Umunede following a joint operation with neighboring communities’ security teams.
The arrest came just weeks after the Obi of Umunede, his council of chiefs, and the people of Umunede Kingdom placed curses on kidnappers and their accomplices during a public ceremony, aimed at addressing the rising insecurity in the region.
The suspects, who identified themselves as Isah Aboh, Yusuf Yahiya, Abubakar Sule, Adamu Yaya, Saidu Shehu, and Abdulahi Yaiya, are said to be from the northern part of the country. They were arrested while riding three Qlink motorcycles, with two individuals on each bike.
A source within the local vigilante group revealed that the security team received a tip-off from a woman returning from her farm. The woman reportedly spotted the suspects, whom she described as strangers and suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, heading towards the farm road.
According to the source, “The woman told us that there were six men, and they were heading down the farm road. We followed the direction she pointed out, going as far as the Mkpitime Stream.”
The vigilante team eventually intercepted the suspects, who claimed to be cattle herders. However, the absence of cattle and their neat appearance raised suspicions. “Though we didn’t find any weapons on them, they didn’t look like cattle rearers. We decided to take precautionary measures and brought them back to Umunede,” the source said.
The suspects were later handed over to officers at the Umunede Divisional Police Headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Investigations are ongoing to determine their involvement in criminal activities in the area.
