Five abducted, including police officer, as kidnappers terrorise Edo community

Tension gripped Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State following a fresh wave of kidnappings that saw no fewer than five persons, including a serving police officer, abducted by gunmen in separate attacks.

Residents described scenes of panic as the kidnappers struck in different locations within the council area, deepening fears over the worsening security situation.

It was gathered that abductions have become alarmingly frequent in the locality, prompting the local government authorities, in collaboration with traditional rulers, to impose a daily curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in a bid to curb criminal activities.

The first incident reportedly occurred on February 8 at the Makeke Primary Health Centre, less than a kilometre from Ososo in the eastern axis of Akoko-Edo.

Armed men were said to have stormed the facility and abducted a female secondary school student, Tope Oriloye, alongside Samuel Ilesanmi, who had taken his sick son to the health centre in the company of his wife.

In a separate operation, the gunmen allegedly invaded the residence of Police Inspector Segun Obanowa, an indigene of Uma/Imoga in Akoko-Edo, but residing in Auchi.

The attackers reportedly kidnapped the officer, his wife, and their daughter. However, the officer’s wife was later released, allegedly to arrange ransom for the release of her husband and daughter.

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The National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, Bode Ekundayo, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued in Benin City on Wednesday.

He disclosed that the kidnappers had already contacted the families of Oriloye and Ilesanmi, demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.

“Daring kidnappers struck again in Akoko Edo, this time at Makeke village, less than a kilometre from Ososo in the eastern part of Akoko Edo, taking away a secondary school female student, Tope Oriloye, and Samuel Ilesanmi on February 8 at the community health centre,” Ekundayo said.

“In a similar operation in Auchi, kidnappers invaded the residence of Police Inspector Segun Obanowa from Uma/Imoga in Akoko Edo and kidnapped him, his wife and daughter, later releasing his wife to go look for ransom to free her husband and daughter,” he added.

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the incidents, assuring residents that efforts are underway to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.

The latest attacks have heightened anxiety among residents, with community leaders renewing calls for increased security presence and more decisive action to stem the growing menace of kidnapping in the area.