A 50-year-old woman abducted in Ezimo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, has died from shock just hours after she was released by her captors.
The victim, identified as Agnes Obetta, was among a group of mourners kidnapped while returning from a burial ceremony.
Her death comes in the wake of a Nigerian Army operation on Friday, December 5, which led to the rescue of 14 abducted persons from Orokam Forest in Benue State, a location that borders Udenu LGA.
Seven of those rescued were residents of Ezimo, while others included victims abducted in different locations, among them two individuals from neighbouring Umuosigide.
According to a family source, Mrs Obetta died shortly after ransom was paid to secure her freedom. The source said the victims had just been released when gunshots erupted not far from the hideout, forcing them to flee in panic.
“When they later regrouped to begin the journey home, she was nowhere to be found,” the source said.
Her son and some villagers launched a search the following morning and found her unconscious in the bush. She was rushed to a hospital in Orokam, but complications prompted a referral to another facility in Obollo-Afor. Her blood pressure was reportedly extremely high, and despite efforts by medical staff, she passed away.
It was also gathered that the captives endured harsh conditions and were poorly fed throughout their ordeal.
A political leader in Udenu LGA, Hillary Onah, has called for a full account of what transpired during the operation. He claimed that Mrs Obetta’s first son was still with the kidnappers as they counted the ransom when the gunfire began, allegedly from a security team attempting a rescue.
Onah said the kidnappers escaped with the ransom amid the chaos, while the victims scattered into the bush. He insisted that the community deserves clarity on the circumstances that led to the tragedy.
