By Ochuko Akuopha

OLEH—SUSPECTED Fulani herdsmen, weekend, kidnapped two persons, including the Community Liaison Officer of Midwestern Oil and Gas, Mr. Kingsley Ikuni, at Kwale, headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area, Delta State.

It was, however, gathered that one of those abducted was later released after an undisclosed amount of money was paid to the herdsmen, while Ikuni was still being held hostage.

A source in the community told Vanguard that lkuni was kidnapped on his way to his house at Azuenze in the Umusadege area of the town.

He said the other victim was abducted along Kwale-Ogume Road, Kwale, adding that “after some hours, a ransom was demanded for his release.

“The security agencies available, with support from the community people, tried every possible means to rescue the victims but all efforts yielded no positive result as relatives of the other victim had to run around to raise the requested ransom.

“On the provision of the agreed amount, the other victim was released and the kidnappers, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, openly came out for the exchange and were seen with AK-47 rifles.”

Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Celestina Kalu, said the victims were abducted by some of the community’s youths and kept in the custody of the herdsmen.