The people of Ugbene Ajima, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, are yet to come over the traumatic abduction of their daughter and sons by suspected hoodlums.
WITHIN NIGERIA source revealed that the ugly incident, which took place at a farmland located at Ada village in the Ugbene-Ajima community, has thrown the entire community into panic and palpable fear.
Chief Sam Otti who is a member of the community, explained that “a mother and her three sons have been abducted by suspected kidnappers at a farmland belonging to Enugu Ada Village in Ugbene Ajima, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
“The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Nwiyi Ivuruge, along the route leading to Umualogo Village in Nkpologu community, a neighbouring community that shares a boundary with Ugbene Ajima.
“We have identified the victims to be Mrs Bridget Okey and her three sons: Chukwubuike Okeh, 14, Chukwuemeka Okeh and Chijioke Okeh.”
Our findings showed that the family had gone to their family farmland to harvest cassava when they were reportedly abducted and whisked away by the kidnappers.
Explaining further our source stressed that “the incident is particularly distressing because it involves a mother and her children, who had ventured into their farmland in pursuit of their daily livelihood, only to fall victim to the growing menace of kidnapping.
“It is difficult to imagine the fear, anguish and psychological trauma these innocent victims may be experiencing in the hands of their abductors. One cannot help but wonder what could have informed such a cruel act, especially against a mother and her children.
“If the motive behind the abduction is ransom, one is compelled to ask: How much can a struggling rural family, whose livelihood depends largely on subsistence farming, possibly afford to pay for the freedom of their loved ones?
“The abduction raises disturbing questions about the safety of rural dwellers and the growing vulnerability of farmers, who can no longer venture into their farmlands without the fear of being attacked or kidnapped.”
Appealing to the swift intervention of the security agencies, Chief Otti who was a renowned Daily Sun correspondent said that “we make an urgent appeal to the Enugu State Government, the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Council, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to rise to the occasion and deploy every necessary resource towards securing the immediate and safe release of Mrs Bridget Okey and her three sons.
“The family must not be abandoned to its fate. Every possible effort must be made to ensure that these victims return home alive and unharmed.
“Subjecting innocent children, particularly minors, to the horrors of captivity for financial gain is not only barbaric but an affront to our collective humanity. No society should tolerate a situation in which children become bargaining chips in the hands of criminal elements.”
Our source also said that “more troubling is the apparent spread of insecurity into rural communities, where farmers and other residents are increasingly exposed to the dangers of abduction in places that should ordinarily be safe for their daily activities.
“Our farmlands must not become hunting grounds for kidnappers. Our villages must not become safe havens for criminals. And our children must not grow up in fear of going to the farms with their parents.
“We call on the relevant authorities to act swiftly. The overriding priority must be to rescue Mrs Bridget Okey and her sons and reunite them with their family.
“May their ordeal end in freedom, and may they return home safely.”
Our reporter gathered that their abductors are yet to contact their relations for any ransom negotiation and payment.
However, the incident is yet to be confirmed by the state police command as the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO of the command, Daniel Ndukwe could not pick his calls.
