Delta burial turned sour as gunmen kidnaps son, relative of deceased

Two men headed to their father’s burial in Ekuku Agbor area of Delta State have been reportedly kidnapped by suspected Fulani herders.

A source from the Afam family told The Punch that the suspected Fulani herdsmen have demanded N13 million ransom.

“Mr Chukwuyem Afam, a son to late Sunday Afam whose burial was slated for Saturday March 26, 2022 at Ekuku Agbor, and one of their in-laws, Mr Eric Etunim, was called up to come and pick up Mr Afam from the train station at Owa Oyibu.

“They were driving to Ekuku Agbor when they were accosted by kidnappers. They were Fulani herdsmen and were shooting sporadically into the air before they were whisked away.

“Mr Chukwuyem travelled down from Abuja on Friday for the burial of his father and called on one of their in-laws, Mr Etunim to pick him up, but unfortunately they were kidnapped.

They had contacted the family with an initial demand of N13 million ransom, which they later brought down to N5 million per person based on their last contact, the family source said.

He lamented that the burial ceremony of the late Afam turned into a very painful ordeal as the family members went ahead to bury their father amidst anxiety and apprehension.