Uluoke community in Uzairue, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State has been thrown into mourning and fear following a deadly attack by suspected kidnappers. A man identified as Friday Pius was shot dead in his home in the early hours of Monday, while his pregnant wife and her sister were abducted.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen stormed the residence of the late Pius between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., shooting him at close range. His three young children were left behind, reportedly wailing beside their father’s lifeless body after the attackers escaped into the nearby bushes with their mother and aunt.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed the incident. Spokesperson for the command, CSP Moses Yamu, said police operatives had already been deployed to the area and were working in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters to rescue the kidnapped victims and bring the culprits to justice.
“We are aware of the incident,” CSP Yamu stated. “Necessary deployments have been made. Our men have sustained bush combing and rescue operations with the aim of rescuing the victims and apprehending the attackers.”
Reports said the sound of gunshots terrified residents, leaving them too afraid to come out during the attack. By the time the shooting stopped and they finally stepped out to see what had happened, it was already too late.
“When people finally came out after the gunfire stopped, the man was found in a pool of his own blood, and his wife and her sister had been taken away,” a community source said.
The killing and abduction sparked outrage in the community. Dozens of women took to the streets in protest, demanding improved security and urgent government intervention. Many of them carried placards and chanted songs, expressing anger and fear over the deteriorating security in their area.
One of the protesters, a local woman who identified herself as Rashidetu, said the protest was not just about the latest attack but about the ongoing insecurity that has plagued the community for months.
“We can’t go to our farms anymore,” she said. “Herdsmen have taken over. They uproot our cassava to feed their cows, and if anyone complains, they are kidnapped or killed. We are tired.”
She added that residents are now afraid to go out, even during the day, and that many families are abandoning their farms, their only source of livelihood.
This latest incident is part of a larger pattern of increasing insecurity across several communities in Edo State, particularly in rural and farming areas. Farmers in parts of Etsako, Owan, and Akoko-Edo local government areas have repeatedly raised alarm over attacks by armed herdsmen and suspected kidnappers.
In recent months, several cases of kidnappings, robberies, and farm invasions have been reported. Many farmers say they are being forced to abandon their land because of constant threats to their lives.
“We’ve reported to the authorities many times, but the situation only seems to be getting worse,” a local youth leader said. “Now they’ve entered homes and are killing people at night. How are we supposed to live like this?”
Community leaders in Uluoke and surrounding areas are calling on the state and federal governments to increase security presence in the region. They are also demanding that the government deploy more police officers, as well as military support if needed, to protect residents and restore peace.
“We are not safe,” one elder said. “We sleep with one eye open. What happened to Friday can happen to any of us if nothing is done.”
The abduction of a pregnant woman also raises further concerns about her health and safety in captivity. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but many residents fear that time is running out.
The Edo State Police Command has promised to do everything within its power to rescue the victims and bring the criminals to justice. CSP Moses Yamu said that the command is intensifying efforts with local security outfits, including vigilante groups and hunters, to comb the forests where the kidnappers may be hiding.
“We are committed to making sure this case is resolved quickly,” Yamu said. “We understand the pain of the family and the fear in the community.”
While residents appreciate the response, many say more must be done to ensure long-term safety in rural communities. They are asking for not just temporary patrols, but a permanent and visible security presence.
As insecurity continues to spread across rural Edo State, many people are calling on the government at all levels to act fast.
“This is no longer about politics. It’s about survival,” said one community member. “We need real security. Our children are growing up in fear. Our wives can’t go to the market. Our men are being killed in their own homes. How long will this continue?”
