Bandits suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, Thursday evening, abducted 10 passengers and took them into the bush in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State.
Vanguard reports that the hoodlums were armed with dangerous weapons. According to reports, the travelers who boarded the vehicle at the motor park opposite the Abia State University Uturu were on their way to Akara in Isuikwuato.
Their vehicle was said to have been flagged down by the bandits who immediately marched the travelers into the bush. The victim’s identities are yet to be ascertained as of the time of filling this report.
Reports has it that the hoodlums were later engaged in a gun duel by soldiers in a nearby military checkpoint but they managed to escape with their victims.
There is no information yet about the victims as their abductors are yet to make any contacts.
Confirming the incidents, the Isuikwuato LGA Chairman, Hon. Chima Agbaeze decried the activities of Fulani herdsmen in the area.
He regretted that despite spirited efforts by the Council to stem the tide, bandits still terrorize innocent folks.
Hon. Agbaeze also revealed that a woman in a separate incident was abuducted and raped to death by a gang of bandits also suspected to be Fulanis whose menacing terrorist activities especially around Uturu axis in the recent times have assumed threatening dimension.
The victim who was reportedly stabbed by the bandits hailed from Amagu, Mbaugwu, Uturu in Isuikwuato LGA.
Reacting, the Council boss expressed shock and rage that bandits successfully abducted travelers despite having many security checkpoints on the same road.
”It’s so annoying that I have four security checkpoints comprising the Army, police and local vigilante on that road between Uturu and Isuikwuato yet such thing happened”, Agbaeze fumed.
Agbaeze who said that security remained the first charge of his administration vowed not to relent until his people are secure.
He said he was collaborating with his Umunneochi and Okigwe counterparts for a joint efforts against the menace.
According to him, intelligence revealed that some of the bandits operate from Lokpanta where there is a concentration of Fulani community at the Cattle market, hence the synergy with Umunneochi LGA where the regional market is domiciled.
On the identity of the abducted travelers, the LG boss said efforts were ongoing to unravel it.
He also said that frantic efforts were on to rescue the victims.
