- Kidnappers demand N10m ransom
At least 10 Engenni-Ijaw persons comprising women and children have been kidnapped from their farms in Isua, Jonkrama 2, Ahoada West Local Government Area, Rivers State.
The National President, Niger Delta Non-violence Agitators Forum (NDNAF), Wisdom Ikuli, confirmed the incident and demanded an unconditional release of the victims in a Save our Soul (SOS) message.
Ikuli, who called on the security agencies to rescue the victims, sent the SOS to the governors of Rivers, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara; Bayelsa, Douye Diri; President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba and President, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, Sir. Jonathan Lokpobiri Snr.
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He said: “I write to humbly and passionately appeal to your Excellency and all relevant security agencies to ensure the immediate, unconditional release of 10 Engenni-Ijaw people, mostly women and children who were kidnapped from their farms few days ago in this very month of August, 2023.
“They have not been released till this very moment because of the inability of their poor families to raise N10million that the kidnappers who are suspected to come from neighbouring tribe are demanding.”
Ikuli lamented that over the years, countless Engenni people had been kidnapped, raped, maimed and even murdered by suspected youths from neighbouring Oshiobele community, who maintained camps where they kidnapped and kept their victims.
He said: “Engenni people like their other Ijaw kinsmen are aborigines and indigenous people, who have occupied the present Niger Delta region for centuries and decades and they have never been conquered.
“As a people, who are part of the larger Ijaw Nation, they have been very peaceful and hospitable people. Unfortunately, their aggressors are taking their hospitality and peaceful disposition for stupidity and weakness.
“How can one imagine the kidnap of women and children who went to farm to look for food for survival under the prevalent economic hardship and pains that people are going through?”