Panic has engulfed communities in Edo State following the abduction of passengers traveling in an 18-seater bus by suspected kidnappers along the Sobe-Benin Road in Owan West Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred last Thursday, has heightened concerns over the growing insecurity in the region, particularly as reports suggest that some of the victims may be students.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the bus was ambushed by armed men who emerged from the bush and forced the passengers into the forest.
The kidnappers reportedly shot the driver, causing the vehicle to halt, before dragging the passengers away.
According to a source who doesn’t want to be quoted,“The kidnappers, after injuring the driver, abducted the occupants into the bush, leaving the driver in a pool of his blood”.
The kidnappers have since contacted the families of the victims, demanding a ransom of N15 million per person for their release.
The exact number of victims remains unconfirmed, deepening the anxiety within the affected communities.
In a surprising twist, social media activist and influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), played a heroic role in the aftermath of the attack.
VDM, who was traveling in the area with his convoy, reportedly intervened upon discovering the injured driver. Without hesitation, he rescued the man and rushed him to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.
His quick actions have drawn widespread praise online, with many hailing his bravery and selflessness in the face of danger.
The incident has reignited calls for stronger security measures along vulnerable routes in the state, as residents remain gripped by fear over the worsening state of safety in the region.
