Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted nine members of the same family, including a nursing mother and several children, along the Benin–Akure Road in Edo State, leaving four victims still in captivity.
The abduction occurred at about 5 p.m. on Monday, February 2, 2026, along the Eko-Abeku-Iyowa Road in Evboneka community, when the family was returning home from school.
Head of the family, Mr. Festus Bamidele, said the kidnappers later released the nursing mother and her infant after a heavy downpour on the day of the incident. He explained that the family only became aware of the abduction when the woman and her baby returned home.
According to Bamidele, three other children in pre-kindergarten classes were subsequently rescued by local vigilantes and police operatives during search efforts in the area. However, four victims aged between 11 and 26 years remain in the custody of the kidnappers. Those still being held include his children, younger sister and sister-in-law.
“The kidnappers have contacted us and are demanding a ransom of N260 million,” Bamidele said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Ms. Eno Ikoedem, said operatives from the Ekiadolor Division engaged the gunmen in a shootout while attempting to rescue the victims. She stated that five of the abducted persons were rescued unhurt, while four others were taken away by the fleeing kidnappers.
Ikoedem added that the command, in collaboration with hunters and local vigilantes, has launched an intensive bush-combing operation to track down the suspects and secure the release of the remaining victims.
She noted that the ongoing operation is part of wider security measures to dismantle criminal networks across the state. The police also recalled that 13 suspected kidnappers and vandals were recently arrested in separate operations, while three abductees were rescued, following sustained efforts ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, to deny criminals a safe haven in Edo State.
