Gunmen Kidnap Police Inspector, Daughter, Student and Others in Edo Attacks; Demand ₦100m Ransom"

 

Suspected kidnappers have struck twice in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, abducting five persons including a serving police officer in separate incidents that have heightened fears over rising insecurity in Edo North.

The first attack occurred on February 8 at the Makeke Primary Health Centre in Makeke village, less than a kilometre from Ososo. Gunmen stormed the facility and abducted Tope Oriloye, a female secondary school student, and Samuel Ilesanmi, who had taken his sick child to the centre accompanied by his wife.

In a related but separate operation, another group of kidnappers invaded the home of Police Inspector Segun Obanowa in Auchi (from the Uma/Imoga area), abducting him, his wife, and their daughter. The wife was subsequently released to source ransom for the freedom of her husband and daughter.

Local sources and reports indicate that the abductors have contacted the families of Oriloye and Ilesanmi, demanding a staggering ₦100 million ransom for their release.

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the incidents. Spokesperson ASP Eno Ikoedem stated that investigations are underway and efforts are intensifying to rescue the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.

Community leaders and residents have expressed alarm at the audacity of the attacks, particularly the targeting of a police officer's residence, amid a pattern of high-ransom kidnappings in the region.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, as security operations continue in the affected areas.

This incident underscores the persistent threat of kidnapping for ransom in parts of Edo State, prompting calls for enhanced security measures and community-police collaboration to curb the menace.