Gunmen believed to be members of the Eastern Security Network, the paramilitary wing of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have allegedly killed three of the 12 Taraba State fishermen they kidnapped, News About Nigeria reports.
Honourable Zakari Sanusi, a member of the Taraba State House of Assembly representing the Ibi Constituency, reported the incident.
Sanusi informed reporters on Thursday that the fishermen were abducted on Sunday in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The victims, who are his constituents, were on their way to Osamala village for their longstanding fish farming business when they were ambushed by the criminals.
Sanusi identified the victims as 12 males and five females, including two youngsters.
He revealed that the terrorists had contacted the victims’ families and demanded a ransom of N20 million.
“The incident happened on Monday. The farmers were attacked in Ugwaru, under Onitsha, while travelling in an 18-seater bus. The terrorists gruesomely slaughtered three people on the spot. They released the females and children and took the remaining nine males into the forest. Their whereabouts are unknown, but the gunmen have reached out, demanding a ransom of N20 million,” Sanusi said.
He appealed to the federal government to intervene, secure the release of the captives and ensure justice for those killed.
The lawmaker expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and assured them that the state administration would do everything possible to achieve the release of those still held captive.
One of the fishermen, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted learning about the incident from one of the victims who managed to escape the terrorists’ hideout.
“He told us that three people were slaughtered by the terrorists in his presence. They would randomly point to anyone and ask him to come forward to be slaughtered. To avoid dying in such a miserable manner, he found a way to escape,” the fisherman said.
“We don’t even know who to call for help. One of the people we reached out to requested N2 million before he could help facilitate discussions with the terrorists. Our people have been coming to Osamala to catch fish for a very long time. We inherited it from our grandfathers,” he added.
Meanwhile, police authorities in Anambra State have yet to release a formal comment on the incident.
