ENUGU, Nigeria — Tragic violence has once again struck the Agbani community in the Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, after armed herdsmen launched a deadly ambush that left two security operatives dead and a father and daughter in captivity.
The assailants, who reportedly emerged from a nearby forest, opened fire on a local security patrol before seizing their victims. The gunmen have since established contact with the family, demanding a staggering N25 million ransom for the release of the abducted duo.
The Deadly Ambush
The attack occurred late Tuesday evening along a stretch of road frequently used by commuters and local farmers. According to eyewitness accounts, the armed herdsmen intercepted a vehicle carrying the victims, sparking a confrontation with members of a local vigilante group who were providing security in the area.
In the ensuing gunbattle, two of the security operatives were fatally shot. The gunmen then forced the man and his daughter out of their vehicle at gunpoint, dragging them into the thick vegetation of the surrounding forest before backup could arrive.
Ransom Demand and Community Panic
A relative of the victims, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the kidnappers reached out via telephone on Wednesday morning. “They are demanding N25 million. They were very blunt—they said the money must be ready or we should forget about seeing them again,” the relative said.
The killings and subsequent abduction have sent shockwaves through Agbani and neighboring communities, with many residents now afraid to venture to their farms. Local leaders have expressed outrage, noting that the presence of armed herders in the forest belts has remained a persistent threat despite previous security assurances.
Security Response
The Enugu State Police Command has deployed tactical teams to the area to track the kidnappers and recover the victims. While the police have not officially confirmed the specific number of casualties among the vigilante group, sources within the community insist the bodies of the two operatives have been moved to a local morgue.
“Our men are on the trail of the hoodlums,” a police source stated. “We are working with local hunters and the forest guards to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted man and his daughter.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests have been made, and the forest area remains under heavy surveillance by joint security forces.
