12th August, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
The abductors of 10 women and children at their farms in Isua Joinkrama Two community in Ahoada-West Local Government areas of Rivers State are demanding N10 million ransom.
The incident which occurred on Tuesday, has thrown the community into palpable fear over the safety of the women and children, as many villagers have fled their homes for fear of being kidnapped.
In a Save-Our-Soul letter sent to Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, security agencies and all relevant authorities on behalf of the kidnapped victims and the community, Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli, the National President, Niger Delta Non-violence Forum called for the immediate rescue of the victims.
According to the letter: “Passionate Appeal to Your Excellencies and all relevant security agencies to ensure the immediate, unconditional release of ten (10) Engenni-Ijaw people mostly women and children who were kidnapped from their farms few days ago in this very month of August, 2023 and they have not been released till this very moment because of the inability of their poor families to raise the N10 million demanded by the kidnappers who are suspected to come from neighbouring tribe.”
Ikuli alleged that over the years, countless Engenni people had been kidnapped, raped, maimed and even murdered by suspected youths from neighbouring Oshiobele Community who have camps where they kidnap and keep their victims.
He further alleged that Engenni people, like their other Ijaw kinsmen, are aborigines and indigenous people who have occupied the present Niger Delta region for centuries and decades and have never been conquered.
The group called on the Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka to ensure the immediate release of the victims.
Also, the Paramount Ruler of Mbiama Community, HRH Chief Otovie Smith Sylvanus, condemned the ugly acts of kidnapping in Engenni Kingdom and called on the security agencies to work towards the release of the victims.