Gunmen kill palace chief; abduct two daughters in Edo community attack

Suspected gunmen have killed a palace chief, Jacob Ojemai, and abducted his two daughters during a deadly raid on his residence in Idoa, Esan West, sparking fresh concerns over insecurity in the area.

The attack, which occurred last week, also left the chief’s wife seriously injured, according to local sources. The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the incident and launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.

Sources close to the family said about four armed men stormed Chief Ojemai’s home, opened fire on him at close range and inflicted machete wounds on his wife before abducting the couple’s daughters into nearby bush paths.

The brazen assault has thrown the community into mourning, with residents describing the slain chief as a respected palace figure.

The abductors have reportedly contacted the family, demanding a ransom of N40 million for the release of the victims.

The amount was later reduced to N20 million following negotiations.

However, the family now faces severe difficulties raising the funds, as Chief Ojemai — the household’s primary provider — was killed during the attack.

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“Community members are making efforts to see how they can raise the ransom for the daughters to regain their freedom,” a source said.

The traditional ruler of the community, Amedu Momoh, the Onojie of Idoa, confirmed the incident and expressed deep concern over worsening security conditions in the area.

He warned that armed groups have been increasingly targeting residents, urging authorities to intervene urgently.

“Gunmen have been terrorizing this community,” the monarch said, calling on the state government and security agencies to intensify patrols and protect lives and property.

Police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem confirmed that security operatives have been deployed to track down the attackers and rescue the kidnapped girls.

“We have commenced a manhunt for the gunmen and are working to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped daughters,” she said.

Authorities have appealed for calm and urged residents to provide useful information that could aid ongoing investigations.

The incident underscores growing concerns over kidnapping and violent attacks in parts of Edo State and other regions, as communities continue to call for stronger security measures to curb the menace