Edo State Family Targeted in Brazen Kidnapping Incident
In a distressing development that has shaken the Evboneka community, armed gunmen suspected to be kidnappers carried out a brazen abduction of nine family members in Edo State. The victims, which included a nursing mother and six children, were reportedly taken while traveling along the Eko-Abeku-Iyowa road within the Evboneka community along the Benin-Akure highway.
Timeline of the Abduction and Partial Rescue
The incident occurred at approximately 5 pm on Monday, February 2, 2026, as the family was returning from school. According to Festus Bamidele, the head of the affected family, the kidnappers initially released the nursing mother and her infant baby following heavy rainfall on that fateful day. It was through their arrival home that the family first learned about the kidnapping.
Bamidele further revealed that three additional victims from pre-kindergarten classes were subsequently rescued through the combined efforts of vigilante groups and police operatives within the Evboneka Community. However, four family members ranging in age from 11 to 26 years remain in captivity, including Bamidele's children, his younger sister, and a sister-in-law.
Substantial Ransom Demand and Police Response
The kidnappers have established contact with the family, making a staggering ransom demand of N260 million for the release of the remaining captives. Bamidele confirmed this development, stating that the abductors have directly communicated their financial requirements.
Eno Ikoedem, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, verified the incident and provided details of the law enforcement response. According to Ikoedem, operatives from the Ekiadolor Division engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, successfully rescuing five victims unharmed while four others were taken away by the assailants.
Ongoing Search and Rescue Operations
The police command has launched intensive search operations in collaboration with hunters and vigilante groups. Ikoedem emphasized that a comprehensive bush combing exercise is underway to locate the kidnappers and secure the safe release of the remaining victims. The coordinated effort represents a determined response to what has become an increasingly concerning security challenge in the region.
This incident highlights the persistent security vulnerabilities along major transportation routes in Edo State and raises serious questions about protection for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children traveling to and from educational institutions. The substantial ransom demand further underscores the economic motivations driving such criminal activities in the area.
