By Deborah Nnamdi
Suspected kidnappers have reportedly abducted a family of three and four others in the Ivbiaro community of Owan East Local Government Area, Edo State.
The victims, comprising a father, mother, and son, were traveling alongside four family friends from Kaduna State to attend a 40-day fidau prayer for a late mother-in-law when they were ambushed.
The abduction occurred on Thursday along the Auchi-Warrake Road, just a few meters from the community, at a notorious bad spot near a security checkpoint. The driver of the vehicle managed to escape into the nearby bush.
According to a source close to the victims, the family had chartered a vehicle from Kaduna for the trip to attend the memorial prayer scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025.
The source, who requested anonymity, revealed that the gunmen initially took all the passengers but later abandoned a woman and her two children due to the children’s persistent crying. The abductors, however, retained four hostages: the son of the abducted couple, a female family friend, and two others.
The father, identified only as Mallam Nezifi, and his wife were later released, but their son and other victims remain in captivity. The kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N10 million for their release.
The incident has thrown the Ivbiaro community into distress, forcing the cancellation of the planned fidau prayer. Efforts are reportedly underway by the family to raise the ransom for the safe release of the abducted individuals.
