Abduction of 6 persons creates tension in Akoko Edo

TENSION heightened yesterday, in Akuku and Ewaen communities, in Akoko Edo Local Government Council of Edo state, following the alleged abduction of six Akuku indigenes in Igarra area by armed youths Monday night.

It was alleged that the men were abducted by youths suspected to be youths from the neighouring Enwan community while passing through Igarra comunity.

It would be recalled that the two communities have been enmeshed in a bloody communal clash over boundary dispute which had led to the death of over fifteen persons in the last fifteen years.

But peace however came to the area early this year when the state government brokered peace between the warring communities but the latest incident of kidnap is creating fresh tension in the area.

Vanguard learnt that following the disappearance of the Akuku indigenes, the youths of the area mobilized and headed to the disputed boundary for a show down with their counterpart from the Ewaen community.

Area, Chief Charles Osagbemeh, ensured a timely intervention in the crisis as he led a group of Akuku people to the palace of the traditional ruler to verify the incident in order to prevent a break down of law and order in the area.

But reacting swiftly, the Ewaen people disassociated themselves from the kidnap and appealed to the state government to intervene urgently so as to avoid bloodshed.

Worried by the situation, the Secretary of the council, Chief Charles Osegbemeh and other members of the Council rushed to the palace of the traditional ruler of the area to appeal to him to calm the youths down.

According to him “efforts are being made to search for the kidnap persons and we are appealing to our elders and youths to be calm so that we will not witness another round of blood shed”.

The Chairman of the state Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Dr Francis Iyasere who was contacted, confirmed the incident, saying however that “we are yet to be brief fully on the matter.

But we are aware and we are putting every thing in place to ensure that no body is killed again in the area. We are in touch with every body including the police”.

On his part, the state Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Peter Ogboi said he was yet to be briefed officially but warned however that the police would not tolerate any brakedown of law and order in any part of the state.