In a bold display of solidarity and defiance, Igbo traders in Lokoja, the bustling capital of Kogi State, brought commerce to a standstill on Tuesday, shuttering their shops to protest the alarming surge in kidnappings targeting their wives.
Expressing grave concern over the relentless onslaught of underworld criminals preying on their loved ones for ransom, the traders voiced their anguish and frustration at the escalating crisis.
The protest, initially slated for two days, sent shockwaves through the community, drawing attention to the plight of Igbo families living in fear amidst the harrowing specter of abduction.
While the demonstration was abruptly halted on Wednesday following government intervention, the scars of fear and uncertainty lingered among the traders.
Speaking anonymously, a distraught Igbo trader revealed the chilling reality of the ongoing terror, recounting the traumatic cycle of kidnappings plaguing their community for over two years.
“It was a protest by Igbo traders in Kogi over the incessant kidnapping of our women. It keeps occuring every month.
“After they release one person, the next month they will pick another person. This has been going on for over two years. The protest was planned for two days but it was called off today (Wednesday).
“According to our leadership, they said government officials and officials of Lokoja Local Government Area intervened in the matter, so they suspend the protest,” he said.
Echoing the sentiment of fear and vulnerability, Mr. Sunday Ike lamented the precarious situation faced by Igbo traders, citing a recent incident where an Igbo woman was abducted on her way home from church, only to be released after her husband paid a hefty ransom.
He said, “The kidnapping of Igbos in the state is becoming alarming. We are living in fear. Igbo traders are endangered species. One Igbo lady was recently kidnapped while returning from church. Her abductors refused to release her until the husband paid a huge sum of money as ransom.”
Amidst mounting tension, Lokoja Local Government Caretaker Chairman Abdullahi Adamu convened a crucial meeting with Igbo traders, offering reassurances of security and unity in the face of adversity.
With promises of continued efforts to safeguard the welfare of all residents and foster harmony among diverse ethnic groups, the traders reluctantly heeded the call to end their protest, cautiously reopening their shops as they navigate the uncertain terrain of safety and security in their adopted home.
