Along the Benin-Akure Road in Edo State, nine members of the same family, including a nursing mother and many children, were kidnapped by gunmen suspected of being kidnappers. On Monday, February 2, 2026, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the victims were apprehended on their way home from school along the Eko-Abeku-Iyowa Road in the Evboneka hamlet. Festus Bamidele, the family’s head, stated that after a downpour on the day of the event, the kidnappers later freed the nursing mother and her baby. He clarified that once the woman and her child returned home, the family learned of the kidnapping.
He claims that local police officers and vigilantes later saved three more pre-kindergarten students. However, according to Bamidele, four victims, who range in age from 11 to 26, are still being held captive. His children, younger sister, and sister-in-law are among those still detained.
“The kidnappers have contacted us and are demanding N260 million ransom,” he said.
Eno Ikoedem, a spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, confirmed the event and told PUNCH Metro that during a rescue operation, members of the Ekiadolor Division engaged the militants in a shootout. According to her, four of the victims were taken away by the escaping kidnappers, but five were saved unharmed.
“The command, in collaboration with hunters and vigilantes, has launched an intensive bush-combing operation to track down the kidnappers and rescue the remaining victims,” Ikoedem said.
The current operation, according to the police, is a component of larger security measures meant to break up criminal networks throughout the state. As part of ongoing measures directed by Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika to prevent criminals from having a safe haven, PUNCH Metro had previously reported that three abductees had been rescued and 13 suspected kidnappers and vandals had recently been apprehended in separate operations.
