Two children and a shoemaker, identified as JB, who were abducted by armed bandits during an attack on Ijalu, Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State on June 3, 2026, have regained their freedom after 49 days in captivity.
Abduction and initial rescue
LIB reported that the children were abducted alongside their mother, Mrs. Idowu Kemi Totilayo, and baby brother on June 3, 2026. Troops in conjunction with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) rescued the mother and infant later that same night. However, the two older children and the shoemaker remained in the custody of the kidnappers.
Release after ransom payment
The victims were released on Tuesday night, July 21, 2026, after spending about seven weeks in captivity. Their release comes weeks after the children's father, Mr. Idowu Samuel, made a public appeal for financial assistance, revealing the difficult conditions his children were facing in captivity.
According to Mr. Samuel, armed bandits invaded his home in Ijalu on June 3, abducting his wife, their two children, and a shoemaker identified as JB. He disclosed that the abductors informed the family that the two children had become seriously ill while in captivity.
Mr. Samuel also revealed that the kidnappers reduced their initial ransom demand from N200 million to N6 million and requested additional items, including five bags of rice, 25 litres of petrol, five litres of red oil, and five litres of engine oil. Sources confirmed that the ransom and requested items were eventually provided, leading to the victims' release.
Medical treatment and aftermath
The two children are currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital, while details about the condition of the shoemaker have not yet been made public.
