Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Kidnap Delta University Staff, Demand N5m Ransom

Vanguard newspaper reports that a non-academic staff of the Delta State University, Abraka, Mr. John Ogeleke, was yesterday kidnapped at Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the incident, said Ogeleke was heading towards Ogume from Kwale in his Nissan Pathfinder jeep when he was abducted at gun point. 

She explained that four men of Fulani extraction armed with guns and sticks emerged from a nearby bush, forced the vehicle to a stop, seized the 54 years old Ogeleke before taking him into the bush. 

Kalu said the Police in the Kwale division, vigilante team members, men of Dragon 25 police patrol team and reinforcement from nearby divisions were already searching the vast bush. According to her, the Fulani leader in Kwale, Alhaji Mudi, has also been informed “to assist in the search as several Fulani camps are located therein.” 

Meanwhile, a dependable source in the community told Vanguard that the herdsmen have demanded N5 million as ransom for the victim’s release. The source, who preferred anonymity, lamented that Ogume Road had become a hot spot for kidnappers.