Suspected armed herders have resumed violent attacks in Abavo, a community in the Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State. Over the weekend, a female farmer was abducted, while three members of the local vigilante group sustained serious gunshot wounds during an ambush.
The victims were part of a community-organized vigilante team patrolling the Oyoko quarters, a farming area that has faced repeated herder-related violence in recent years.
Speaking on the incident, Pastor Justin Onyeibe, President General of the Abavo community, confirmed that the abducted woman and her husband were working on their farm when the attackers struck.
“They were on the farm when they noticed the herdsmen approaching and attempted to flee,” Onyeibe said. “While the husband managed to escape, his wife was captured.”
The vigilante group launched a search operation on Saturday to locate the abducted woman. During the effort, they were ambushed by the attackers. One of the injured vigilante members has been transferred to a hospital in Asaba, while the other two are receiving treatment at a separate medical facility.
Onyeibe noted that the woman’s family has not been contacted by the kidnappers, as she did not own a mobile phone.
An anonymous community source revealed that each of the 13 quarters in Abavo has formed its own vigilante group in response to the escalating insecurity. “The Oyoko quarters team was on routine patrol when the attack occurred,” the source said. “Three of them were badly injured.”
When contacted, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Bright Edafe, confirmed that an attack took place. However, he stated that the identity of the perpetrators has not been officially established as herdsmen.
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