The decisive action of Governor Monday Okpebholo against kidnappers in Edo State has not deterred their activities in the Heartbeat State, reports Osagie Otabor.
It was a sad New Year for Mr. Tahir Momoh. His son, Ibrahim, has been in the kidnappers den since January 2nd, 2026. Ibrahim is a medical doctor on his housemanship at the Edo State Teaching Hospital, Auchi, headquarters of Estako West local government area.
Ibrahim was abducted with brother, Abu, a graduate of the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, at their residence along City Pride Road, Igbira Camp, Auchi, Edo North. Abu was killed by the kidnappers while allegedly attempting to escape. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
It was learnt that the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N200m but reduced it to N100m. Tahir Momoh, who spoke to our reporter on Thursday, said his son, Ibrahim, was yet to be released. He said the kidnappers are still insisting on N100m ransom.
Last month, a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Aifedighi, was abducted from their residence at Ujemen, Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West local government area. The kidnappers demanded N100m ransom which the family coud not raise. However, the wife was beaten to death while the husband was rescued few days later.
Son of the victims, Mike, said the family was shocked the manner their mother was beaten to death. He said his father had been hospitalised since he was rescued.
“My mother was badly beaten. They battered her head. My father has been in the hospital since he came home. Two suspects have been arrested.”
Last August, eight personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), attached to the BUA Cement Factory in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, were killed by kidnappers.
The slain NSCDC officials were escorting five Chinese expatriates when the kidnappers ambushed them at the company’s entrance.
One Chinese expatriate was abducted by the kidnappers.
On December 11, last year, kidnappers stormed residence of Andrew Ilabeshi at Kalabar Quarters, Afokpella, Estako East local government area. They killed the man and abducted his twins aged 16. The twins were released released on December 26th after payment of N10m.
These are among several other kidnapping cases occurring across Edo state. Last week, students of AAU joined youths in Ekpoma to stage a peaceful protest over incessant kidnappings in the area. The protesters said the demonstration was to draw attention of the government at all levels to the persistent insecurity in the locality.
But spokesman for AAU, Mike Aladenika, said students of the institution did not participate in the protest.
“The University wishes to inform the general public, students, staff, and stakeholders that the organisers of this event are not registered students, members of the University Students’ Union Government, or affiliated with the institution in any capacity.
“The Management condemns any attempts to disrupt the peaceful academic environment and assures that such unauthorised actions will be met with appropriate measures to safeguard the university’s interests and maintain order.”
In Auchi, the Igbira camp area and Igbeh road are said to be notorious for kidnapping activities. What is worrisome to many residents is the presence of military checkpoints at the Igbira camp. Residents is Auchi said contributions were made every Jattu market day for payment of ransom.
“The energy our Governor used to fight cultism is not being used to fight kidnappers. People are selling their houses to pay ransom. Every Jattu market day, they collect money from people to pay ransom. At Igbeh road, you see people begging for money to pay ransom.
“Our Vigilante are not being paid. They cannot go to the bush to face kidnappers with AK47 rifle.”
A Chief in Auchi, kingdom, Chief Duru Yusuf, said payment of ransom by residents was inevitable.
“We are doing our best as a community even though the government says it is doing its best. We are the people feeling tbe heat. People are contributing money to pay ransom. We don’t encourage payment of ransom but sometimes it became inevitable.
“The vigilante are not are not being paid.
They are volunteers. They can only do their best. There are two checkpoints before their Army barracks near the Igbira camp. They have not stopped anything. Government should step up its responsibility so that we can do our business in peace.”
Another leader of Auchi community who gave his name as Abdul urged the police to focus on the Igbira camp due to incessant kidnappings in the area.
He said many persons have been abducted within the vicinity.
“I think it’s time the police beam a searchlight on the Igbira community in Auchi as the number of kidnapping around that area is alarming.
“The problem is these boys don’t want to work but are looking for easy money. The earlier their criminal activities are halted, the better for Auchi and other communities around that area.
“The government should also take action so that the people can see that they are important.”
In November 2025, the Edo State Government analysis of security data
showed a reported 59.4% improvement in security incident rates over previous year, with 2025 recording the lowest incident rate since 2018. It said the data demonstrated effectiveness of strategic investment in security.
Reacting to the increasing kidnapping, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele, in a statement, said the incidents would not deminish resolve of the state to sustain and intensify its fight against kidnapping and other crimes.
Ebojele said the existential threat of kidnapping has become a worrisome issue that has taken more than a devoted attention of government.
“But for our intervention and the quality of what we have invested in curbing kidnapping, the spate would have been more alarming than what we presently have.
The Okpebholo-led administration has been relentless in providing solutions to several security challenges; the peaceful and crime-free yuletide celebration is an indication of our commitment to making Edo state safe for all.
“Before the yuletide season, men of the Operation Rescue carried out a holistic bush combing exercise across Auchi, Agenebode, Okpella, Fugar and Owan areas to expose kidnappers’ den. The exercise was not only successful, the number of persons arrested and being prosecuted presently underscored the extent of the exercise. The Operation Rescue team were able to destroy quite a number of hide-outs of these kidnappers aside from the arrest. Some were also killed in the cause of fire power exchanges in the forests. This is to make the point that the government is not resting on its oars, and the initial perennial incidences of kidnapping have been decimated to its lowest ebb. Our deliberate effort to nip the issue in the bud has yielded a lot of successes and we are determined to make Edo safe for all.
“What we expect from members of the Edo public is a show of solidarity and cooperation particularly in the area of intelligence sharing with men of the Operation Rescue and other security agencies. Security concerns are a function of both the government and the people they govern. It is a collective indulgence that should not be left in the hands of the government alone. We feel pained as a government that the kidnappers claimed the life of Dr. Abu Momoh Tahir at a time we thought we had gotten to the safer corridor of our security engagement. We will continue to improve on our effort to make Edo non-habitable for crimes and criminalities as we call on all to be vigilant around their environment at all times. If anyone observes strange movements around their vicinity, appropriate report should be given to the law enforcement agents without delay.”
On his part, Governor Okpebholo said the state was almost a war zone, plagued by cult killings, kidnappings, armed robbery, and cybercrime when he assumed office in 2024.
“We acted decisively, repealed the weak anti-cultism law, passed a stronger one, supplied 60 Hilux vans and 400 motorcycles to security agencies, and recruited and trained 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps. These measures have drastically reduced insecurity. Let it be known: Edo will no longer be a safe place for criminals.”
