BENIN CITY, Edo State — Eleven people who were kidnapped while working on their farms in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State have escaped from captivity after their abductors fell asleep following an exhausting overnight trek through the forest, police authorities have confirmed.
The victims, who spoke at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City on Friday, recounted their harrowing experience of being marched deep into the bush by six armed men wielding guns and machetes.
One of the victims, Braimah Destiny, who spoke on behalf of the group, said he was returning from his farm when he was intercepted by the armed men, who also abducted 10 other persons in the area. He recalled that the kidnappers forced them to trek throughout the night, moving from one bush to another while police gunshots were heard in the distance.
“We were abducted at about 6 p.m. and taken from one bush to another. At some point, we heard gunshots, which we believed were from the police. The kidnappers kept moving us throughout the night until they stopped at a hideout. They were exhausted and eventually fell asleep. That gave us the opportunity to escape. We ran to the nearest police station and reported the incident,” Destiny narrated.
Another victim, Mrs. Gloria Inyanugbo, said she spent four days in captivity after she was abducted while working on her farm. She revealed that the kidnappers demanded money after asking about the balance in her bank account. Her husband eventually secured her release after paying a ₦3 million ransom and an additional ₦300,000 allegedly requested for food, hard drugs, and other supplies.
“I was kidnapped on January 12 while working on my farm. I remained in their camp for four days until my husband paid ₦3 million for my release. They also demanded another ₦300,000 to buy food, hard drugs and other items,” she said.
Mrs. Inyanugbo commended community vigilantes and the police for arresting some members of the gang. She noted that two suspects were initially apprehended by local vigilantes in the forest before police tracked down other alleged accomplices. She expressed surprise that one of the suspects, who had boasted during her captivity that he was untouchable, was eventually arrested by security operatives.
The Edo State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but sources indicate that investigations are ongoing. The command has reiterated its commitment to tackling kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the state.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over the rising wave of kidnappings in Edo State, particularly in rural areas where farmers have become easy targets for criminal gangs. Community leaders have called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to protect farming communities and ensure the safe return of abducted victims.
