Kidnapping Crisis Unfolds in Edo State – Urgent Call for Action

Benin, Edo – A wave of fear has gripped Edo State following a disturbing kidnapping incident reported on the Benin–Sobe–Akure Road.

According to a post on X by user @monitng, at least 10 passengers, including two identified individuals, Mr. John Odion and Miss Ayeni Joy, were abducted on Saturday, October 25, 2025, near the NIFOR area close to the Aso-Rock Police Checkpoint.

The alarming incident has sparked widespread concern over the escalating insecurity along this critical highway.

The post, accompanied by images of the victims, reveals that Mr. John Odion, a resident of Ogute-Emai in Owan East Local Government Area (LGA), and Miss Ayeni Joy were among those targeted.

Mr. Odion had taken a motorcycle from Afuze to Sabo before boarding a vehicle that fell victim to the attack, while Miss Ayeni Joy was returning from Afuze when she was seized. The kidnappers initially demanded a staggering ₦20 million ransom for each victim, though negotiations have reportedly reduced the demand to ₦10 million for Mr. Odion’s release.

The fate of Miss Ayeni Joy remains uncertain as talks continue.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the abductors released the driver and two breastfeeding mothers, possibly as a tactical move, leaving the remaining passengers, including the two named victims, in captivity.

The incident has reignited fears of Edo State becoming a hotspot for kidnapping, a crime that has plagued Nigeria for years, often concentrated in the northern regions but increasingly spilling into the south.

Local residents and social media users are calling on Governor @m_akpakomiza, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and community vigilante groups to take immediate action.

The post highlights the urgent need for a visible security presence along the Benin–Sobe–Akure corridor to prevent further abductions and secure the safe return of the victims.

This incident echoes previous reports of kidnapping along the same route, including a recent operation by the Edo Security Squad that dismantled a kidnappers’ camp in the Benin–Akure Road corridor.

Historical data also points to a 2023 train station kidnapping in Edo State, where 32 individuals were abducted and later rescued, underscoring the persistent challenge of ransom-driven crime in the region.

As negotiations with the kidnappers continue, authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but the pressure is mounting for a coordinated response to restore peace and security in Edo State.