In response to a wave of recent abductions, community leaders and traditional authorities in Igarra have imposed a strict nine-hour nightly curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and restricted night events such as dances and burial ceremonies, aiming to curb further kidnappings and restore public safety. The measures were announced after residents reported multiple abduction cases in the area, including the high-profile kidnapping of the youth leader’s wife. The decision was taken at a joint meeting involving the local government chairman, the police, and Igarra’s traditional ruler, Oba Adeche Saiki, who expressed alarm at the frequency of violent criminal acts. Oba Saiki warned that suspected criminals might be living among community members and exploiting night movement to carry out abductions. Reports indicate that the abduction of Okuo’s wife came just shortly after seven indigenes of Imoga Community were released by kidnappers following a ransom payment, signalling an apparent resurgence of kidnappings in Akoko-Edo. An earlier kidnapping of a young girl in another part of Igarra is also believed to remain unresolved. The curfew and activity restrictions covering the entire local government area are intended to reduce opportunities for criminals to operate at night and support ongoing security operations. Police have pledged to enforce the curfew while continuing search and rescue missions to recover the abducted victims safely.
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