Tension in Edo as gunmen kidnap police officer, four others
Kidnappers Abduct Five in Edo State, Including Police Officer
AKOKO-EDO, Edo State — In a brazen act of violence, kidnappers abducted five individuals, including a police officer, in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on February 8. The alarming incidents have prompted local authorities and traditional leaders to impose a nightly curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
According to reports, two victims were taken at the Makeke Primary Health Centre. Tope Oriloye, a female secondary school student, and Samuel Ilesanmi were among those abducted while at the facility, where Ilesanmi had brought his son for treatment.
In a separate incident in Auchi, Police Inspector Segun Obanowa was kidnapped from his residence, along with his wife and daughter. The abductors later released his wife, allowing her to seek ransom for their safe return.
Bode Ekundayo, National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, confirmed that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N100 million for the release of Oriloye and Ilesanmi.
“The daring kidnappers struck again in Akoko Edo, this time at Makeke village, less than a kilometer from Ososo, taking away Tope Oriloye and Samuel Ilesanmi at the community health centre,” Ekundayo stated. “In a similar operation in Auchi, the kidnappers invaded the home of Police Inspector Segun Obanowa and kidnapped him, his wife, and daughter, later releasing his wife to arrange for ransom.”
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the incidents and is currently investigating the matter.
