Kidnappers demand N100m ransom for eight abducted Edo residents

Suspected kidnappers have demanded a ransom of N100m for the release of eight residents of Imoga community in Edo State who were abducted on Friday night.

The traditional ruler of Imoga Kingdom, the Okpahi of Imoga, Oba Patrick Obajoye, disclosed this on Monday during a telephone interview.

He said the victims were kidnapped at Star Boy Hotel along the Imoga–Ibillo Road in Edo North.

According to the monarch, the victims had travelled to Ibillo for a social function and decided to spend the night at the hotel, which is owned by an indigene of Imoga.

He said the gunmen arrived at the hotel wearing army uniforms and posed as customers, buying drinks while pretending to be waiting for someone.

“After some time, they confronted the hotel owner, seized his two phones and also collected the phones of others. They tied their hands and marched them into the bush on foot,” Oba Obajoye said.

He revealed that the kidnappers later reduced the ransom demand from N100m to N70m but insisted that one of the vehicles belonging to the hotel owner should be sold to raise the money.

“As it is now, eight people, including one woman, are still being held. The way the kidnappers spoke during negotiations suggests the operation may have been an inside job,” the monarch said.

Describing the incident as heartbreaking, Oba Obajoye lamented the difficulty of raising such a huge amount of money, noting that the victims are young people with promising futures who were abducted simply for lodging overnight after a function.

He commended the Edo State Police Command and the state government for their efforts so far, adding that attempts had been made to trace the kidnappers using modern technology, although without success.

“We hope the rescue efforts will continue so that our people can return safely to their families,” he said.

It was also gathered that one person sustained a gunshot injury while trying to escape during the attack and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, Eno Ikoedem, requested more time to respond as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the monarch recalled a similar incident in November when two brothers, Isaac and Victor Olayere, kidnapped along the Adughe–Imoga Road, regained their freedom after their abductors reportedly fell asleep in the forest.

The brothers had been abducted on November 8, with their captors demanding N22m in ransom, before they eventually escaped and contacted their father.

Oba Obajoye had confirmed that development at the time, describing it as a rare and fortunate outcome amid rising insecurity in the area.