Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted nine family members, including school children and a nursing mother, in Edo State.
The victims were reportedly snatched on February 3, 2026, at Iyowa Bush, along the Eko-Abeku–Iyowa–Akure Road.
A relative of the victims, Festus Bamidele, stated that the group was abducted while returning from school. He noted that the family only became aware of the full scale of the incident after a few of the captives were initially freed.
According to Bamidele, some victims are still being held captive, including two of his children, his younger sister, and his sister-in-law. He revealed that the kidnappers have since contacted the family, demanding a ransom of ₦260 million.
While some victims were rescued through the intervention of the police and local vigilantes at the Evboneka community, Bamidele appealed to security agencies and the state government to ensure the remaining family members are rescued unhurt.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident, stating that four of the victims were released following a gun battle between security forces and the kidnappers.
She added that the command, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilantes, has launched an intensive “bush combing” exercise to rescue the remaining victims.
