By Emma Amaize

WARRI—TWO indigenes of Urhobo and Isoko ethnic nationalities in Delta State have been abducted at Aladja, Udu Local Government Area of the state by suspected ethnic warlords.

The victims, Anthony Oshioya from Aradhe community, Isoko North Local Government Area and Arwotu Ohwoavwodjoghan from Aladja, were kidnapped, Tuesday, when they went to a plantain farm in Aladja forest.

Vanguard learned that despite the riot act read by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to the warring Ogbe Ijoh, Isaba, Esaba and Aladja communities in Ogbe Ijoh and Udu Local Government areas last month, tension was still high in the areas, yesterday.

The President General of Aradhe community, F. E. Omakoba, who spoke to Vanguard on phone, stated emphatically that Ijaw people were behind the kidnap.

He said: “I appeal to Ijaw people of Isaba to unconditionally release our son, Mr Anthony Oshioya, who has been held hostage by them since Tuesday. He went to his plantain farm in Aladja bush in company of an Aladja man.

“We have no issue with Aladja community or Isaba of Ijaw community. Until now, he has not returned to his house in Aladja.”

A source said before Tuesday’s abduction, two youths from Oleri community were taken hostage and their whereabouts unknown since the incident.

Two other Esaba villa-gers, also abducted earlier, were released following pressure on the kidnappers by security agencies.

An Urhobo leader told Vanguard: “We are surprised that security agencies, who received the two released hostages, have not bothered to arrest the kidnappers despite information made available to them.”