Gunmen abduct septuagenarian Isoko chief in Delta

A 70-year-old retiree and Isoko Chief, Johnson Odio, has been abducted by arm-bearing assailants from his farm in Ushie community, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State.

The Isoko chief, an indigene of Ozoro, was reportedly swooped on in his farm on Monday at about 6:00 p.m while returning home with two of his female workers.

The abductors, numbering four,  later reportedly, released the two female farm employees of the victim when they informed the abductors that they were mere labourers.

TribuneOnline gathered on Wednesday that there was panic in Chief Odio’s home on Tuesday evening as the family has been unable to establish contact with him since his abduction on Monday.

A daughter of the victim, who craved anonymity, said the family was worried about the fragile state of health of their patriarch whose medications were not on him when he was abducted.

“He was kidnapped about 6:00 p.m on Monday when coming out of his farm with two of his labour helps.

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“His farm is in Ushie in Ndokwa East. They later released the two labourers once they pleaded and told them that they don’t know anywhere.

“They said the kidnappers were four in number and they were carrying guns. We are scared because he is not strong healthwise and he has not taken any of his medications since he was kidnapped yesterday.

“So, we don’t know his current state now. They are yet to contact us or demand anything.

“According to the women, three of the kidnappers covered their faces and one did not; we don’t know if they did that to conceal their identities.

We don’t know if they are youths from our community or not,” she disclosed to journalists on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Delta State Police Command, Mr Andrew Aniamaka, a DSP, said the police were already out to rescue Chief Odio unharmed and the abductors, apprehended.

Aniamaka further disclosed that “DPO Ashaka has confirmed it: he’s a 70-year-old man and since the abductors have not called to ask for ransom, there are indications that the abduction is an insider’s job and the youths might be at the heart of it.

“From what has been gathered, he was abducted alongside two of his female workers, who were later released.

“The police has commenced work on the matter, to ensure he is released as soon as possible.”