According to reports, a hunter known as Odonkoro from Ufa in Igarra, which is the seat of Akoko-Edo Local Government area, was allegedly gunned down by individuals who are accused of kidnapping him.
The deceased person was killed as he, his coworkers, and members of the local vigilante organisation were searching the forest around Igarra and the settlements that are nearby for kidnappers and to rescue the victims of those kidnappers.
The recent kidnapping of five people within two days along Farm Road in Igarra is evidence of a resurgence in the practise of kidnapping in this region. One of the kidnapped individuals was freed after a ransom of an undisclosed amount was paid for their release.
“Unbeknownst to us, the kidnappers had sighted us so while we were trying to take position, they shot and killed him,” the vigilante explained. “We divided ourselves into two groups and went in different directions.”
They were attempting to round us up, but our coworkers heard the gunshot and started racing in our direction, which caused the kidnappers to flee in terror. “They were trying to round us up. We eventually made it to their tent, where we saw a number of stuff, including a phone that was missing its battery and sim card, in addition to other prepared and unprepared food.
Regarding the individual who was taken into custody, he stated, “The man disguised as if he was waiting for a commercial vehicle along the Igarra – Ibillo Road where he was caught and he has been handed over to the police.”
In response to the current security situation in the state, the state government stated that it was providing training to members of the vigilante organisation in order to increase the level of security in the state.
Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation for Edo State, stated that “at this very moment, the Edo State government is in the process of training over 1,500 people for the vigilante assignment.” A few weeks ago, at the Mobile Police Training School located at the Ogida Barrack, we conducted training in all six local government regions.
“We are reconditioning them to think and act like law enforcement agencies and they are to protect the lives of people in Edo,” he added. “We are teaching them how to think and act like law enforcement agencies.”