Whereabouts of abducted 12-year-old female teenager by suspected herdsmen at the weekend in Ayogwiri Community, Uzairue clan, Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo State, is causing panic amongst residents.
The teenager was taken into hostage by hoodlums who allegedly attack some women on their way from the farm.
Ayogwiri — a home for the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo State chapter, Emperor Jarett Tenebe.
Two injured women during the attack are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital, while local vigilantes and hunters had been mobilized to the area to rescue the hostage.
Unconfirmed sources said the kidnappers are demanding the sum of N5 million as ransom through the back channel’ negotiation.
“Ayogwiri’s incident is part of a disturbing trend of attacks and kidnappings in Edo North Senatorial district, with many incidents going unresolved due to perceived security lapses”, a veteran journalist, Dada Ayokhai wrote in a post, Sunday.
Natives of Ayogwiri are apprehensive of the spare of insecurity, thereby making it difficult to fend for themselves through farming which is the major means of their livelihood over the years.
Stakeholders in the locality are appealing to State government to enhance security measures to prevent further incidents .
The Etsako axis has witnessed a surge in kidnappings, with incidents occurring almost daily, according to investigation.
A statement issued by Vincent Ozemoya, Ayogwiri’s Community leader, who confirmed the incident in a statement, which condemned
the unfortunate and unacceptable incident.
“We received with grave concern the attack of some women from Ayogwiri and their daughter who were returning from their Farms on Friday 10th October, 2025.
“In the process,our daughter was adopted by the marauders while our women were brutally assaulted”, he said while calling on relevant security agencies in the area to tackle security problems in the area.
”Our farmers must feel safe and free to cultivate and provide food for their families without molestation and intimidation whatsoever. Our internal security architecture should wake up and take back our land and Farms.”
”We must deal with this situation decisively.We acknowledge and commend all necessary actions being taken to rescue our daughter unhurt.
”I therefore urge our people to remain calm, but vigilant as the appropriate authorities do the needful” he said.
