Gunmen abduct Juju Priestess, 11 others in Delta Community

Gunmen on Saturday abducted  a Chief Priestess simply identified as Mrs. Kuku together with eleven others from Egbo Community in Ughelli South Local Government Area Delta State.

It gathered that the Chief Priestess  and her followers were under the bridge between Egbo and Ekrokpe Communities carrying out sacrifices to her river goddess at about 4pm  when the gunmen struck and she  together with about  five of her followers were taken away and the gunmen were said to have  escaped through the bush.

It was learnt that, prior to the abduction of the Priestess, five other persons had earlier also been  kidnapped by gunmen who came in through the bush path.

Commenting on the development, a Niger Delta human rights activist, Comrade  Israel Joe in a statement, said those perpetrating the act of abduction are more of indigenes who are informants. According to him, it is difficult to get these kidnappers arrested if efforts are not made to set up security outfits in these communities. 

He said their method of operation is easy as they come through the bush and the leave the way after kidnapping their victims since they do not drive a car adding, they feel they can be caught by the law enforcement agents such as the  Police. 

He  said: "They just come through the bush, kidnap and escape through the same bush. They don't need to drive, so it is very easy for them to escape. They are not afraid because they feel that the Police can't get hold of them since they don't drive a car or pass through any road."

According to Comrade Joe, from Otokutu to Egbo through Ekrokpe to Aragba through ECN to Uvwiamuge, Ughelli, the bush/forest is vast like Sambisa Forest. According to the human rights activist, he only made a post on the incessant kidnapping in the area and they warned him to steer clear of their activities. His words: "I only made a post and at once they began telling me to remove my mouth from their mata say e nor concern me". 

He said the Vice President of Egbo Community cried on phone some days ago that the President has run away from the community as a result of being kidnapped just as he said, it was learnt that he was mobilizing money to relocate from the community. 

According to Israel Joe, a fast growing community is becoming deserted due to fear of being kidnapped. His words:"A very fast developing town capable of turning landlords to tenants. A lot of landlords are either packing out of Egbo to rent houses somewhere or are selling out their houses on auction. What a life?"

Comrade Joe appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori himself to be committed to the security of the area to save the people from this menace.  His words: "Unless the Governor, RT. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori  himself is committed to the security of these areas, it is extremely difficult to arrest these faceless people who pose danger to the Community".

When contacted over the kidnap issue in the area, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe was  yet to pick calls as well as reply a text message sent to him for confirmation at the time of filling  this  report.