In two different incidents on February 8, suspected kidnappers reportedly kidnapped five people, including a Nigeria Police Force officer, in Akoko Edo, Edo North Senatorial District, Edo State.
In light of rumors that the kidnappers requested a ransom of ₦100 million for two of the victims, the occurrences, which took place at several locations, have increased residents’ worry.
The first attack happened at the Makeke Community Health Center, according to a statement released to reporters on Wednesday by Bode Ekundayo, the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People’s national coordinator.
He claimed that Samuel Ilesanmi, who had accompanied his wife to the medical facility to pick up his ailing son, and Tope Oriloye, a female secondary school student, were kidnapped by gunmen.
On February 8, he claimed, “Daring kidnappers struck again in Akoko Edo, this time at Makeke village, less than a kilometer away from Ososo in the eastern part of Akoko Edo, taking away a secondary school female student, Tope Oriloye and Samuel Ilesanmi at the community health center.”
Later, the kidnappers called the victims’ relatives and demanded ₦100 million to free them, Ekundayo claimed.
Additionally, the group revealed that in a different operation in Auchi, police inspector Segun Obanowa from Uma/Imoga in Akoko Edo was kidnapped together with his wife and daughter after they broke into his home.
It has been alleged that the gunmen freed the officer’s wife in order to facilitate her source cash for her husband and daughter’s release.
“In a similar operation in Auchi, kidnappers broke into the home of Police Inspector Segun Obanowa from Uma/Imoga in Akoko Edo and abducted him, his wife, and their daughter. They then freed his wife to go and demand ransom in order to free her husband and daughter,” Ekundayo stated.
Following the tragedy, local hunters and vigilantes reportedly jumped right into action, searching the neighboring neighborhoods and woodlands for the victims, according to Ekundayo.
But their attempts were in vain.
But on the evening of February 9, the kidnappers called to demand ₦100 million in order to free Tope Oriloye and Samuel Ilesanmi.
After displaying its annoying pattern in earlier kidnap ransom discussions, he continued, “this trend of demanding ₦100 million to begin ransom negotiation is becoming a familiar thing.”
The organization demanded that the Akoko Edo Local Government and the Edo State Government take immediate action to solve the region’s deteriorating security situation.
It cautioned that a more serious crisis might result from ongoing inaction.
“We have already written, issued warnings, and promptly informed all Edo State security agencies and governmental levels. Or is it not already clear that the deteriorating problem will eventually turn into unstoppable disasters? Akoko Edo is encircled.
“It’s obvious that gunmen from Benue and Kwara States are rapidly approaching Edo State, with the vast wilderness of Akoko Edo serving as their open gateway,” Ekundayo said.
The kidnapping in Makeke was confirmed by the Edo State Police Command, which also mentioned that suspects had been taken into custody in relation to the incident.
Investigations were still on, and efforts to rescue the victims were being stepped up, according to Police Public Relations Officer Eno Ikoedem.
“I can attest that there was a kidnapping instance at Makeke Village in Edo North’s Akoko Edo Local Government. “Efforts are underway to rescue the victims, and some suspects are in police custody,” she said.
This comes weeks after seven Imoga natives were abducted on January 9 while staying at the Stay Boy Hotel on the Imoga-Ibillo route.
Along with the visitors, the hotel owner was also kidnapped.
On January 11, the kidnappers wanted a ransom of ₦100 million, which was subsequently reduced to ₦70 million and then ₦40 million.
According to reports, the abductors threatened to begin killing the victims on January 16 if the ransom was not paid. However, they were subsequently freed once an unknown sum was paid.
According to locals, panic has increased in Akoko Edo and the surrounding areas as a result of the frequent kidnappings and growing ransom demands.
