The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Edo Kidnappers

  • One injured as kidnappers demand N100m ransom for eight victims in Edo

    One injured as kidnappers demand N100m ransom for eight victims in Edo

    Kidnappers of eight persons at Ibillo, Akoko-Edo local government area, are demanding for N100m ransom to release them.

    The eight persons were abducted last Friday from the Star Boy hotel where they lodged.

    One of the victims was said to have been shot while attempting to escape.

    Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, stated this on Monday in a telephone conversation.

    Oba Obajoye said the kidnappers arrived the hotel dressed in army uniform and pretended to be waiting for a visitor.

    He said the kidnappers later seized owner of the hotel, seized his phone after which they abducted the lodgers, tied their hand and led them into the bush on foot.

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    According to him: “As it is now, the kidnappers have reduced the ransom to N70 million. When we begged for further reduction, they said one of the vehicles belonging to the hotelier should be sold to pay the ransom.

    “Eight of them are currently in the kidnappers den including one woman. The kidnapping looked like an inside job if one considers the way the gunmen spoke to those negotiating the ransom.

    “It is a very sad day for us in our community and we hope that this will end well for our indigenes. However, raising this money is a big task.

    “Imagine, young men and a woman with a great life ahead of them being abducted at a hotel where they have gone to lodge after a function.”

    Speaking on efforts to rescue the victims,  the monarch said attempts to track the kidnappers with modern gadgets were unsuccessful.

    “We hope that the rescue move will continue so that the victims can reunite with their families.”

    Edo Police spokesman, Eno Ikoedem, said she was yet to get details of the incident. 

  • Kidnappers abduct retired head teacher, teenager in Edo

    Kidnappers abduct retired head teacher, teenager in Edo

    A retired head teacher, Eliaser Olorunloju, has been abducted by suspected Fulani herders between Sasaro and Ayetoro, along the dilapidated Igarra–Uneme-Nekhua–Ibillo road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.

    Olorunloju was reportedly returning from Igarra to Ugboshi-Ele after making photocopies of some documents in preparation for his son’s resumption at a tertiary institution when the incident occurred.

    The abductors were said to have contacted his family, demanding a ransom of N70 million for his release.

    Confirming the incident, the Director of Operations and Strategy of the Concerned Minds Initiative of Akoko-Edo (CMIA), Comrade Victor Arogunyo, said the abduction took place around Aiyetoro–Somorika Junction, close to a Fulani settlement along the Ibillo–Uneme–Nekhua–Igarra road.

    He described the attack as another tragic reminder that the area remains under siege, blaming the recurring kidnappings on poor road conditions, criminal herders, inadequate security funding, low morale among local vigilantes, and weak prosecution of suspects.

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    “In the last few months, this is about the fifth kidnapping around the same spot, less than five minutes away from that camp. The government must act fast. I spoke with his traditional ruler, and he confirmed that the kidnappers called on Sunday evening, demanding N70 million,” Arogunyo said.

    In a separate incident, a teenage girl was kidnapped at Ayogwiri in Etsako West Local Government Area while returning from the farm with other women. Two of the women reportedly sustained injuries during the attack, and the kidnappers have demanded N5 million for the girl’s release.

    Chairman of the community’s Board of Trustees, Engr. Vincent Ozemoya condemned the growing insecurity and urged security agencies to intensify operations to clear the forests and farmlands of criminal elements.

    Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.