Kidnappers Seize Nursing Mother, Children in Edo, Demand ₦260m

• Gunmen abducted a nursing mother, children, and other minors along the Benin–Akure highway.
• The woman and her baby were later released, but four victims remain in captivity.
• Police and vigilantes rescued some victims after a gun duel with the kidnappers.
• The abductors have demanded ₦260 million ransom from the family.

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted several members of a family and other children in Edo State, sparking fresh concerns about insecurity along major highways in the region.

The attack happened around 5 pm on Monday along the Eko-Abeku-Iyowa road in Evboneka community, near the Benin–Akure expressway, as the victims were returning from school. Among those taken were a nursing mother, six children, including a baby, as well as other minors from nearby households.

The head of the family, Festus Bamidele, said the family only learnt about the incident when the nursing mother and her baby returned home later that evening after a heavy downpour.

Some victims freed, others still held

Bamidele said vigilantes and police operatives later rescued three pre-kindergarten pupils in the area, but four victims, aged between 11 and 26, remain in the kidnappers’ custody. Those still being held include his children, younger sister and sister-in-law.

According to him, the abductors have contacted the family and demanded ₦260 million ransom for their release.

Also read: FG Reclassifies Kidnappers, Bandits as Terrorists in Security Crackdown

“We got to know about the kidnapping when the nursing mother and her baby got home. Three other children were later rescued by vigilantes and police operatives,” he said. “But four people are still being held, and the kidnappers are asking for ₦260 million.”

Police begin bush combing operation

Confirming the incident, Edo State Police Command spokesperson Eno Ikoedem said operatives of the Ekiadolor Division engaged the abductors in a gun duel, rescuing five victims unhurt, while four others were taken away.

She said police, working with hunters and vigilantes, had launched an intensive bush combing exercise to track the kidnappers and rescue the remaining victims.

“The command is working around the clock with local security groups to rescue those still in captivity,” she said.