A tragic incident has unfolded in Emuhu, near Agbor in Delta State, where a palm wine tapper was killed by his captors after his family could only raise N10,000 for his release.
The victim was one of two tappers abducted on Thursday while heading into the bush.
A coordinated search involving local leaders and security agencies, including the 63 Brigade, Emuhu Vigilante Group, and police units, led to the rescue of one survivor in Urhonigbe, Edo State.
The survivor, who was found exhausted and shaken, revealed the heartbreaking news about his colleague.
The rescue team expressed their devastation, highlighting the harsh reality of communities living in fear and struggling to afford ransoms.
“This is the painful reality our people are facing. Families too poor to pay ransoms, communities living in fear, and criminals treating human lives as bargaining chips,” a team member said.
The survivor is receiving medical care as authorities pursue the kidnappers.