Two farmers and a motorcyclist have been rescued in the Ohuhu community of Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State after they were abducted by suspected kidnappers during a farm attack on Wednesday.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred near Umuawa Alaocha in Ohuhu on Wednesday, where two farmers from Umuezeroala Community were allegedly abducted while working on their farmlands close to Akpahia Community.
According to a community leader, Dan Nwokojie, the victims had gone to their farms as usual when armed kidnappers descended on them and whisked them away into the surrounding forest.
A community source informed, “One Mrs Onyinyechi Ekechukwu, a middle-aged woman, and Mr Izuchukwu Okechi, about 20 years of age, both from Umuezerola-Umuawa-Alaocha in Umuahia North LGA, were kidnapped yesterday, Wednesday, 10th June, 2026, at about 5:00pm at Nkpu-ala, close to the proposed site for the newly flagged-off Federal Housing Estate at Umuawa, along Umuahia/Uzuakoli Road in Umuahia North LGA.
“The kidnappers have called with the woman’s phone number, demanding a ransom of N10m.
“The two victims have been successfully rescued from a nearby bush, not far from the spot they were taken. The kidnappers were said to be Fulani herdsmen, 6 in number.
“Soon after their first call demanding a N10m ransom, Ohuhu youths swung into action. With machetes, clubs, and hunters’ dogs, they went into the bush shouting the names of the 2 victims. On noticing the rowdy movement, the idiotic cowards took to the hills, abandoning the victims.”
According to another source, “In a dramatic turn of events, a family member who arrived at the farm on a motorcycle to help transport harvested produce reportedly encountered the kidnappers and was also abducted.”
The victim was said to have been brutally attacked with machetes, sustaining severe injuries before being rescued.
He was immediately rushed to a nearby medical facility, where he is currently receiving treatment.
The incident triggered an immediate response from youths across neighbouring communities, including Nkwoegwu, Umuire, Umuosu, Akpahia, and other parts of Ohuhu.
The youths mobilised en masse and launched a coordinated search operation in the surrounding forests in pursuit of the kidnappers.
Their swift intervention led to the successful rescue of the two abducted farmers and the injured motorcyclist.
However, the suspected kidnappers reportedly escaped before they could be apprehended.
As of the time of filing this report, community youths, working in collaboration with local leaders, have mounted checkpoints and intensified surveillance on major access routes across Ohuhu in a determined effort to track down the fleeing suspects.
The member representing Umuahia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Anderson Akaliro, was also reported to have joined efforts to mobilise local youths and support the ongoing search operation.
Residents have called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and security presence in the area and ensure that those responsible for the attack are apprehended and brought to justice.
The incident has heightened concerns over security in the area, with fear and uncertainty continuing to spread among residents.
Early Thursday, the member representing Umuahia North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Anderson Akaliro, who was on air, said his constituency is taking appropriate steps to forestall similar things in the future.
The Abia lawmaker, therefore, addressed a security meeting in the area, Umuahia North.
The President of the Ohuhu Welfare Union, Youth Wing, Iheanacho Uchenna Gavin, in a statement he issued, appreciated and commended the “extraordinary” “courage, unity, and sacrifice demonstrated by our gallant youths from Umuawa, Nkwoegwu, Umuda, Umuire, and other supporting communities who stood up in defence of humanity during the rescue operation of the kidnapped woman and boy yesterday.”
According to him, “At a time when fear could have prevailed, you chose bravery. At a time when many would have remained silent, you chose action.
“Your selfless efforts, unity of purpose, and unwavering determination in entering the bush to ensure the safe rescue of innocent lives have once again proven that Ohuhu youths remain a force for peace, security, and community development.
“This singular act of courage is a clear demonstration that our youths are not only leaders of tomorrow but dependable defenders of today. You have shown that when we stand united, no challenge is insurmountable and no threat can overpower our collective strength.”
Reacting, the Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, confirmed the incident, stating, “The attention of the Command was drawn to the above incident, which occurred on 10/06/2026 at about 1030hrs, involving the abduction of the victims by six suspected Fulani herdsmen while they were returning from the farm.
“Operatives of the Ohuhu Divisional Police Headquarters, in collaboration with vigilantes, forest guards, and youths of the community, immediately went into the bush to rescue the victims.
“On sighting the operatives, the suspected kidnappers fled, abandoning the victims.
“The victims were successfully rescued. One of the victims, who sustained injuries to the head and hand, was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”
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