Itsukwi, a small agrarian community in Ward 9 of Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, has again been thrown into fear and despair following the abduction of six teenage boys and a farmer by suspected kidnappers.

The victims, all teenage boys and a full-grown man, were seized on Monday in two separate incidents.

While Mr. Alfred Kupa reportedly ran into the armed men on his way to his farm, the six teenagers were rounded up while heading into the forest to retrieve sawn wood for a timber contractor resident in the community.

The latest attack triggered a massive search operation involving the police, the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes and community youths.

Chairman of the Itsukwi Homeland Security, Malam Bashir Kasim, said the local police were notified, and officers were mobilized to the community before launching a joint operation into the surrounding forests.

During the search, operatives reportedly discovered blood-stained dry leaves and two expended AK-47 shell casings deep inside the bush.

The search continued with reinforcement from the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel, vigilante groups and local youths led by Malam Kasim.

Residents said a police helicopter was also deployed to support the operation, but no rescue had been made as of the time of filing this report.

President of the Itsukwi Youths, Mr. Sule Abako, disclosed that the kidnappers later contacted the victims’ families and demanded 60 million naira for their release.

The Councillor representing Ward 9, Honorable. Usman Igbasekhe, confirmed that he had briefed the Chairman of Etsako East Local Government, Honorable. Sunny Akiotu Ekpetika, who promised swift intervention.

Itsukwi is one of several communities in Ivieland, including Okpekpe, Imiakebu and Imiegba, that have suffered repeated attacks by armed kidnappers over the past three years.

Residents say persistent insecurity has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, while families have sold homes, livestock and cash crops to raise ransom payments.

Lamenting the recurring attacks, Malam Kasim appealed to Governor Monday Okpebholo and the Etsako East Council Chairman to urgently restore security to Ivieland.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Etsako East Local Government Chairman were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered and a text message had not been replied to at the time of filing this report.

For residents of Itsukwi and the wider Ivieland, the latest abduction is another painful reminder of a growing security crisis that continues to threaten lives, livelihoods, and the future of farming communities in northern Edo State.

Edited By Victor Agbonavbare