Edo Villagers Cry Out: 'Kidnappers Don Take Over Our Bushes, Roads!'

Fear, frustration and helplessness have continued to grip several communities in Edo State as residents lament the growing activities of kidnappers who, according to them, have taken over bushes, farm roads and highways, forcing many farmers to abandon their farmlands and pushing families deeper into hardship and hunger. Residents from Ewatto, Ewohimi, Ohordua, Ubiaja, Udo Okhuesan and Igueben communities described a frightening reality where travelling on major roads or visiting farms has become a life-threatening risk. For many villagers, the fear is no longer distant or imagined. It is now part of daily life. “Kidnappers have taken over our bushes, farm roads and highways,” a distraught resident said while describing the worsening insecurity in the area. The source explained that although the latest reported abduction incident occurred earlier this year, kidnappings have become a recurring nightmare for many families across the affected communities. “The last kidnap incident occurred early this year, but before then so many people were kidnapped, and some lost their lives,” the resident lamented. According to community members, farmers who once travelled long distances into the forests and bushes to cultivate their crops now avoid such journeys out of fear of being abducted. Many residents, they said, have abandoned their farmlands entirely, while others now manage small gardens close to their homes just to survive. “Many farmers have abandoned their farms, even up till now some are still scared to go to their farms as the kidnappers have made it terrifying to work,” the source said. Residents identified the Ewatto-Ubiaja Road and the Ewatto-Udo Road as some of the major hotspots where kidnappers frequently target travellers and motorists. Another resident further recounted several incidents where travellers were abducted and, in some tragic cases, drivers lost their lives during attacks. “We have had cases of travellers being kidnapped along the Ewatto-Ubiaja Road. Some drivers have lost their lives in some cases,” the source added. The emotional and economic impact of the insecurity has left many families devastated. Community members said farming, which remains the major source of livelihood for most residents, has been severely affected, resulting in reduced food production and worsening poverty. “So many of them in the community now look for a nearby bush and garden around the house to farm. They can’t go far into the bush again,” the source explained. Residents lamented that the inability to access farmlands is gradually destroying livelihoods and leaving many households unable to meet even their most basic needs. “And it's affecting the productivity of farm produce thereby causing hunger to some families who rely solely on farming,” the resident said. “Some could no longer afford basic things due to lack of money. Because when they can't cultivate what they have on their farm to sell, what will they use to buy foodstuffs for the children and even to pay for their school fees and hospital bills.” Community members noted that they are tired of contributing money to secure the release of their kinsmen and are exhausted from constantly living in fear, unable to farm freely while their livelihoods continue to disappear. They also expressed anger over what they described as government negligence and the lack of adequate security presence in the affected communities. According to another resident, one painful incident involved his teenage cousin who was abducted alongside his uncle and several others while working on a farm around July 2025. “A cousin of mine was also kidnapped sometime last year on the farm alongside his uncle whom he's staying with, and other persons too. He spent six days in kidnappers’ den,” the source narrated. The resident said the entire community was thrown into panic and desperation as families struggled to raise the money demanded by the abductors. “Some community members contributed money for the boy, the uncle and other victims to be released. N5 million was paid as ransom,” the source disclosed. The source added that the teenager suffered severe physical abuse while in captivity, leaving lasting emotional trauma on both the victim and his family. “The boy is just about 17 years old. And he was seriously beaten by the abductors,” the resident said sorrowfully. Residents said the repeated ransom payments were gradually impoverishing families and communities already battling economic hardship. According to them, every new abduction comes with fear, emotional pain and another round of contributions from struggling villagers who often have little or nothing left to give. "The millions of naira in ransom money that has left Ewatto community for years is enough to build a massive project," an angry resident told SaharaReporters. Amid growing frustration, residents disclosed that communities in Ewatto had recently begun contributing money to establish a local vigilante group in a desperate attempt to defend themselves and restore some level of safety. Despite the local efforts, residents insisted that community vigilantes alone could not solve the crisis without urgent intervention from security agencies and government authorities. Many residents said they now live each day with uncertainty, not knowing whether loved ones who travel to farms, markets or neighbouring towns would safely return home. Parents reportedly worry constantly about their children, while farmers who once depended on their harvests for survival now face empty farms, mounting debts and worsening hunger. Community members lamented that the insecurity has not only robbed them of peace, but also stripped many families of dignity and economic stability. According to them, what used to be thriving farming communities are gradually turning into fearful settlements where people sleep with anxiety and wake up unsure of what tragedy the next day may bring. Residents further appealed to the government and security agencies to urgently intensify patrols, secure the highways and forest areas, and prevent rural communities from being abandoned to kidnappers.