Following days of anxiety, a mother and her three sons have regained their freedom after being abducted by gunmen while harvesting cassava on their farmland in Ugbene Ajima, a community situated within the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. The victims, identified as Bridget Okey alongside her sons Chukwubuike, Chukwuemeka, and Chijioke, were originally seized on 5 November at Nwiyi Ivuruge along the route leading to Umualogo Village in the neighbouring Nkpologu community.
According to reports surrounding the incident, the captives were freed following the payment of a four million naira ransom to their abductors. An anonymous source close to the affected family disclosed that the gunmen initially demanded an exorbitant forty million naira before eventually lowering their demand and accepting the four million naira payout. Contributions from extended family members, in-laws, villagers, and sympathizers reportedly enabled the family to gather the funds required to secure the release.
Was a ransom actually paid?
Despite the claims from family sources regarding financial settlements, the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Chijioke Ezugwu, strongly refuted assertions that money exchanged hands to secure the freedom of the victims. Mr Ezugwu, a legal practitioner, maintained that the safe return of the mother and her children was entirely the result of sustained pressure and coordinated operations by security agencies.
The council chairman commended the security operatives for their dedication, tactical professionalism, and collaborative approach, which he credited for the positive outcome. He assured residents of Ugbene Ajima and other settlements across the council area that his administration would continue collaborating closely with security formations to bolster local intelligence gathering, enhance surveillance, and forestall similar security breaches.
What is the broader security context in the area?
Rural communities within Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area have experienced recurring security challenges, including armed attacks and abductions over recent years. Local inhabitants frequently attribute these violent incidents to suspected herdsmen operating within the agrarian belt.
Previous security reports indicate that multiple similar incidents have previously disrupted farming activities in the region, prompting repeated appeals from local leadership for intensified security deployment to protect farmers and residents going about their daily livelihoods.