One of the residents abducted from Ezimo in Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State, has tragically died from shock shortly after being released by her kidnappers.
The woman, identified as Agnes Obetta, aged about 50, died after suffering from severely high blood pressure. According to a family source, she was rushed to a hospital but passed away due to complications. The family confirmed her death occurred after ransom had been paid for her release.
The Nigerian Army had previously announced that it rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a clearance operation on Friday, December 5, in a Benue forest bordering Enugu State. Seven of those rescued were from Ezimo.
However, a different account of the event was given by a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Hillary Onah. He claimed Mrs. Obetta’s first son was still with the kidnappers as they were counting the ransom when “gunshots suddenly rang out from the supposed rescue team.”
Onah alleged that the kidnappers, startled by the sporadic shooting, fled with the ransom money while the victims scattered to save themselves. The family source added that Mrs. Obetta was found unconscious the next day after the newly freed victims were forced to scramble for safety following the sudden gunfire.
