Sources told SaharaReporters that the victims were released on Thursday evening near the Benue State border.
Several victims abducted in recent attacks on Ezimo and Obollo-Eke communities in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State have regained their freedom after a substantial ransom was reportedly paid to their captors.
Sources told SaharaReporters that the victims were released on Thursday evening near the Benue State border.
They were first taken to the Orokamu Police Station in Benue State before being transferred to different medical facilities for treatment in Enugu State.
"Some abducted persons in Ezimo/Obollo released after handsome ransom was paid. They were released at Benue Area where they were taking to by the gunmen. After their release they were taking to Orokamu police station before they were taken to different medical facilities for treatment.
"Their release had no intervention from the government or security agencies," a community source told SaharaReporters.
The release, SaharaReporters reports followed violent attacks last Saturday and Sunday that left residents of Ezimo and the neighbouring Obollo-Eke community in panic.
SaharaReporters had reported that the gunmen operating freely along the Ikem–Obollo-Afor federal road had shot several women and abducted multiple residents in what locals described as one of the most brazen security breaches in recent months.
Eyewitnesses said Saturday’s attack in Ezimo occurred just metres from a military checkpoint, yet the assailants reportedly operated for hours without challenge. Video clips obtained by SaharaReporters show wounded women being rushed to hospital on stretchers, while several vehicles were riddled with bullets.
A resident, Marcel Ossia, had lamented that the escalating violence has become “a daily nightmare,” accusing authorities of failing to respond to repeated distress calls.
“Women returning from a marriage ceremony were attacked in the evening. Some escaped with bullet wounds, but about seven were abducted,” he said.
“The criminals operated unchallenged, even though the incident happened two poles away from a military checkpoint. They took the victims and crossed into Benue State.”
Ossia added that the kidnappers returned on Sunday to attack Obollo-Eke, abducting more residents in a similar fashion.
In response to the growing insecurity, scores of Ezimo women staged a peaceful demonstration on Monday morning, marching through major roads to the residence of the state’s Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, who hails from the community.
The women demanded urgent government intervention, expressing fear over what they described as relentless and targeted attacks on women traveling for social or family functions.
“Our Ezimo women gathered peacefully to express their deep pain and frustration,” one resident told SaharaReporters.
“Ezimo people are no longer safe. With recent kidnappings, shootings, and the fear gripping our villages, the women are demanding urgent intervention.”
He emphasised that the protest was a plea for help rather than a confrontation. “This is a cry for protection. Our communities cannot continue to live in fear,” he added.
As of the time of filing this report, the Enugu State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attacks, the victims’ release, or the ongoing protests.
Calls placed to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, were not answered.