Monday Agbonika, Edo State Commissioner of Police
A family of nine, including a nursing mother and her baby, on Monday February 2, 2026, became the latest victims of unending incidents of kidnapping in Edo State, with their abductors demanding a ransom of N260 million.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the victims, comprising the nursing mother, six children, her younger sister, and sister-in-law, were abducted by some unknown gunmen at Eko-Abeku-Iyowa road, within Evboneka community along the Benin-Akure road, at about 5 pm while returning from school.
The Head of the family, Festus Bamidele, said the abductors released the nursing mother and her baby same day after a heavy rainfall.
Bamidele said the family only learnt about the incident when the nursing mother and the baby got home.
According to him, three other victims of pre-kg classes were later rescued by vigilante men and police operatives at Evboneka community.
Bamidele further explained that four others – his children, younger sister and a sister-in-law – who are between the ages of 11 and 26 years, were still being held by the kidnappers.
He said the kidnappers have contacted the family and were demanding ₦260 million ransom.
Confirming the incident, the State Police Command Spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said operatives of the Ekiadolor Division engaged the abductors in a gun duel and successfully rescued five of the victims unhurt while four others were taken away.
Ikoedem, an assistant superintendent of police, (ASP) said, “The command, in collaboration with hunters and vigilantes, has launched an intensive bush combing exercise for the kidnappers with efforts ongoing to rescue the remaining victims”.