Tears, Fear As Kidnappers Invade Enugu Community, Abduct Mother, 3 Sons

A mother and her three sons have been abducted by suspected kidnappers at a farmland 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. The victims were identified as Mrs Bridget Okey and her three sons, Chukwubuike, Chukwuemeka and Chijioke. One of the children, Chukwubuike, is said to be 14 years old.

The family was reportedly harvesting cassava on their farmland when the suspected kidnappers struck, seized the four victims and whisked them away to an unknown destination. The abduction has thrown the entire Ugbene Ajima community into tears, fear and grief. It has also heightened concerns over the safety of rural residents, particularly farmers, who are increasingly exposed to attacks while carrying out their daily activities.

A community leader, Sam Otti, who holds the chieftaincy title of Ikeoha Ugbene, called on the government and security agencies to urgently intervene and secure the victims’ release. He said: “We appeal to the Enugu State Government, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Council, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to urgently deploy every necessary resource towards securing the immediate and safe release of Mrs Bridget Okey and her three sons.” He lamented that subjecting innocent children to the horrors of captivity for financial gain is barbaric and an affront to collective humanity.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Barrister Chijioke Ezugwu, visited the scene of the incident on Saturday and assured residents that efforts were being mobilised to rescue the victims. He urged the natives to remain calm while efforts were ongoing to secure their release. Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Enugu State Police Command for comments on the incident were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.