Fear and uncertainty grip Enugu-Ezike, a community in Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the brazen abduction of over 35 passengers and three soldiers by suspected armed herdsmen on the Enugu-Nsukka Road.
The incident occurred on Thursday, January 9, 2025, as three buses traversing the dilapidated highway were attacked in what eyewitnesses described as a well-coordinated operation lasting over an hour. The kidnappers, numbering about 17, reportedly herded their victims into the bush at gunpoint.
One of the kidnapped soldiers, Private Usendu Emediong, managed to escape and recounted the harrowing ordeal. “We were traveling from Akwa Ibom to Kaduna in a commercial bus,” he explained. “The kidnappers struck suddenly and took control. My three colleagues and I were among those forcefully marched into the bush.”
The soldiers—Private Usoro Ezekiel Paul, Private Jeremiah Inimbom Thomas, and Private Victor Itiat Godwin—were reportedly on their way to Kaduna for official duties. Tragically, they, along with dozens of passengers from the buses, were unable to evade capture.
An eyewitness, who requested anonymity, described the attackers as a “ragtag gang of Fulani herdsmen.” He said, “They operated for about 60 minutes on a busy road that connects the eastern region to the north. The deplorable condition of the road made it easy for them to ambush the vehicles.”
The eyewitness further revealed that local hunters encountered the kidnappers deep in the forest. “One of the victims couldn’t keep walking and pleaded for rest, but the captors shot him dead,” he said grimly. The victim’s body was later recovered and taken to a nearby morgue.
Residents of Enugu-Ezike have been thrown into panic, with helicopters seen hovering over the area in search-and-rescue operations. “The presence of the military chopper has created a tense atmosphere,” a local said. “People are worried, but so far, there’s no indication that the kidnappers are still in the immediate area.”
The attack underscores the deteriorating security situation in parts of the country, with roads in rural areas becoming hotspots for kidnappings. The Enugu-Nsukka Road, in particular, has gained notoriety for frequent criminal activities, exacerbated by its poor state.
A military signal obtained by journalists confirmed the abduction of the soldiers, who were part of the 87 Regular Recruits Intake (87RRI). The signal, signed by Major A.E. Edet, detailed the identities of the kidnapped personnel and called for immediate action.
“Information received from PTE Usendu Emediong revealed that three soldiers from 87RRI were abducted on January 9, 2025, along the Enugu-Nsukka Road while traveling from Akwa Ibom to Kaduna State,” the report read.
The Enugu-Nsukka Road has long been plagued by insecurity, with armed groups taking advantage of its poor condition to stage attacks. Analysts say the lack of adequate policing in rural areas has emboldened criminal elements.
“This road has become a danger zone,” said a security expert. “There’s an urgent need for improved surveillance, community engagement, and road rehabilitation to curb these incidents.”
While the state government is yet to issue an official statement, calls for urgent intervention have grown louder. Civil society groups and community leaders are urging the federal and state governments to act swiftly.
“The safety of lives and property must be prioritized,” said a local leader. “We cannot continue to live in fear.”
In recent years, Nigeria has faced rising insecurity linked to armed herdsmen, particularly in regions where tensions between farmers and herders persist. Though the origins of this latest attack are unclear, many suspect that the group may be affiliated with other violent factions operating in the country’s forests.
