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The chilling account was shared by John Okeke, leader of the Isiagi Umumba Vigilance Group, during an interview on News Central TV.
Okeke, who played a key role in the attempted rescue detailed how he noticed suspicious activity near the village entrance.
“I saw when a motorcycle rode to the front and stopped and then I monitored but didn’t understand what was happening,” he said. “I then bent low beside the motorcycle so that they could only see the motorcycle. I noticed they had only machete and were carrying a child in their hand.”
The incident occurred around midday, sending shockwaves through the otherwise peaceful community. According to Okeke, the man who appeared alone on the motorcycle attempted to flee with the child in hand. The vigilance team already on alert due to recent reports of ritual-related activities in the region, quickly mobilized.
Though the suspect managed to escape on foot after abandoning the motorcycle, the vigilance group rescued the child unharmed. The machete and other ritual items were recovered from the scene and handed over to the local police.
Community leaders are now calling on the Enugu State government to intensify security patrols in rural areas and support local vigilante groups with equipment and logistics.
“This is no longer an isolated event,” Okeke warned. “If we don’t act fast, more children will fall victim.”
Watch the video from stamp time 0:33 HERE.
