Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed a man and abducted his twin children in Afokpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The deceased, identified as Ilabeshi Okhale, was attacked on the night of December 11 at his residence in Kalabar Quarters, Afokpella.
According to a resident, the assailants switched off his generator to lure him outside. When Okhale went to investigate, the gunmen inflicted multiple machete injuries, which led to his death.
“They put out the deceased’s generator to lure him out. As soon as he came out, they used machetes on him, leaving him gravely injured,” the resident said.
The kidnappers reportedly abducted Okhale’s 16-year-old twins, Emmanuel and Emmanuella, and demanded a ransom of N100 million from the family.
Edo State Police Command spokesperson Eno Ikoedem confirmed that the twins were rescued unharmed following a coordinated operation involving police, army, the Edo State Security Network (ESSC), hunters, and vigilantes.
“The abducted twins have been rescued unhurt by the police and personnel of other sister agencies,” Ikoedem said. She added that the deceased was taken to Ajie Hospital, confirmed dead, and later deposited at Santa Maria Morgue, Jattu, for autopsy. Investigations to apprehend the perpetrators are ongoing.
While the Edo State Government has intensified efforts to combat kidnapping acquiring operational vehicles and equipment to boost security criminals continue to carry out attacks, underscoring the persistent threat to residents.