Two of the passengers kidnapped in Edo State have been released after paying N10m ransom each.
Gunmen abducted 13 passengers were abducted around the NIFOR area near Aso-Rock Police Checkpoint, along the Benin–Sobe–Akure Road on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
The kidnappers left the driver and two breastfeeding mothers behind.
Some other victims were still with the kidnappers since their families were yet to raise the N10million ransom demanded.
A source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that a victim, Joy Ayeni and one man who was shot on the leg had been released while one Lucky Imoukhuede was still with the kidnappers.
“His family has been able to raise N6million but the kidnappers are demanding for N10million. We were made to understand that N10million is what the kidnappers are collecting,” the source said.
“Only Ayeni and the man they shot on the leg have been released so far.”
Meanwhile, a civic tech accountability group, MonITNG, raised the alarm over the worsening wave of kidnappings along Edo highways, calling on Governor Monday Okpebholo and security agencies to urgently intervene.
In a “KIDNAPPING ALERT IN EDO STATE!” which the organisation shared on X it expressed deep concern over what it described as “the growing wave of insecurity in Edo State, as families are thrown into pain and fear.”
“Two individuals, Mr. John Odion from Ogute-Emai, Owan East LGA, and Miss Ayeni Joy, are among the victims of the kidnapping incident that occurred on Saturday, October 25, 2025, around the NIFOR area near Aso-Rock Police Checkpoint, along the Benin–Sobe–Akure Road,” the group said.
The platform had disclosed that about ten passengers travelling from Sabo-Gidda Ora in Owan West Local Government Area to Benin City were abducted by gunmen, while “the driver and two breastfeeding mothers were released.”
“Mr. Odion, who could not find a vehicle from Afuze to Benin, took a bike to Sabo and joined the ill-fated journey where he was kidnapped alongside others.
“The kidnappers initially demanded ₦20 million ransom, but negotiations are ongoing and they are now asking for ₦10 million for his release.
“Miss Ayeni Joy was kidnapped around the same location while returning from Afuze,” the group said, noting that the abductors had demanded N20 million ransom for her freedom.
“These incidents “have once again exposed the frightening state of insecurity on Edo highways, where innocent citizens live in fear of abduction.”
MonITNG appealed to the Edo State government, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilante groups to act swiftly and decisively to secure the release of these victims and restore safety along the Benin–Sobe–Akure corridor.
It warned that the situation demanded “urgent intervention and visible security presence to prevent further abductions.
