By Oscar Okhifo
Families in Itsukwi, a community in Ward 9 Etsako East local government area of Edo state sold belongings, borrowed heavily to raise N11 million ransom in desperate hope of saving 80-year-old Pa Michael Arekheyemhe from kidnappers. But the elderly man never returned alive.
Itsukwi, a rural agrarian community in Ward 9 is now gripped by grief, fear and anger following the tragic death of the octogenarian who reportedly died in captivity after being abducted alongside a woman from the community.
The communities of Okpekpe, Imiegba, Itsukwi, and Imiakebu have increasingly come under attack from suspected armed herders and kidnappers, making farming and daily life extremely dangerous for residents.
Several killings had earlier been recorded in Okpekpe and Itsukwi, but the latest incident, which occurred around 7 p.m. on April 15, has left the once peaceful community devastated and terrified.
Residents said sporadic gunshots echoed from the outskirts of the community, sending villagers fleeing in different directions in panic.
Amid the confusion, Pa Michael and Mrs. Jenneth Igbe, a housewife and mother, were abducted from their homes and taken to an unknown destination. A young boy who reportedly ran into the attackers was brutally macheted and is still recuperating from his injuries.
A desperate overnight search by local youths yielded no result.
For 24 hours, there was no communication from the abductors. When they eventually made contact, they reportedly demanded N50 million ransom.
It was during negotiations that the community discovered the kidnappers had also abducted a teenage girl from neighbouring Imiakebu community.
When this correspondent asked whether the matter had been reported to the police located barely a kilometre away, an anonymous resident gave a troubling response.
“My brother, we made a report. They wanted us to bring money before action. There was no money to give them. We returned home and the youths moved again with mere cutlasses to comb nearby bushes and far away forests. We saw no trace at all,” the source alleged.
Efforts to reach the Head of Station for comments were unsuccessful.
Residents further claimed that security agencies were informed about the phone numbers used by the kidnappers.
“Yes, they are aware. Even now, the DSS is aware and the number was tabled before them. They’ve done nothing with it,” another source said.
Through the intervention of Hon. Usman Igbasekhe, the councillor representing Ward 9 and an indigene of Itsukwi, the Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Chief Sunny Ekpetika, reportedly mobilised security operatives, including soldiers and mobile policemen, to the community.
However, accounts of the operation remain conflicting.
While some residents claimed the operatives did not venture deep into the forests before returning, others alleged they merely visited the community, asked a few questions and promised to return , a promise they said was never fulfilled.
With little help forthcoming, the burden of securing the victims’ release fell entirely on the affected families and the community.
After 15 days in captivity, families from Itsukwi and Imiakebu reportedly raised N11 million through loans, borrowing and the sale of personal belongings to secure the release of their loved ones.
One of the family members narrated the harrowing process of delivering the ransom.
“They told us to take the ransom money to the BUA Cement area of Obu-Okpella. When we got there, they redirected us to Lokoja in Kogi State. From there, we were directed over the phone and trekked for about 8 kilometres through thick darkness and lonely terrain.
“We eventually gave them the ransom on the 3rd of May and they told us to leave. It was already late in the night and we were exhausted. We returned home the next morning but heard nothing from them afterwards.”
According to the source, eight days after the ransom was paid, the families received information that some captives had been released near Obajana in Kogi State.
“We again began the long journey to kogi, only to discover that Mrs. Jenneth, the Imiakebu girl and some others had been freed. The old man was not among them,” the source said.
It was later revealed that Pa Michael had allegedly been shot dead after becoming too weak to continue trekking through the forest.
One of the freed victims reportedly recounted the horrifying ordeal.
“We were constantly moved from one location to another. There were many captives gathered from different places. There was a young Ghanaian man who said he was abducted at Aviele while travelling from Kano to Port Harcourt. He had stopped over at Aviele like others, to eat.
“He was forced to carry Pa Michael when the old man could no longer walk. When he too became exhausted, the kidnappers became angry and shot the 80-year-old man dead. They dumped his body and covered it with leaves.”
The revelation has further deepened the pain within the community, especially as the kidnappers allegedly collected the ransom despite already killing the elderly victim.
Residents say the tragedy has compounded the suffering of locals who have already been displaced from their farms by persistent attacks and insecurity.
The freed woman is reportedly covered in bruises and scars from beatings and torture endured during captivity.
The immediate concern for the grieving family is now how to retrieve the remains of Pa Michael from the forest.
When contacted, the deceased’s son, Mr. Eshofune Michael, said the family had again approached the police for assistance.
“We have reported to the police. They said they will go with us on Monday to search for the body. We pray we find it. This is a terrible time for all of us,” he said in despair.
However, frustration and distrust towards security agencies remain high among residents.
“I will not be surprised if they ask the family for money again before going for the search. They do that a lot,” an angry youth in the community alleged.
For the people of Itsukwi and neighbouring communities, life has become increasingly unbearable. With farming activities paralysed by fear and insecurity, residents say hunger and economic hardship have already taken hold.
Now, many are calling on President Bola Tinubu and Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to urgently intervene and restore security to the troubled communities before more lives are lost.