By Jethro Ibileke
A journey of faith turned into a nightmare on Thursday, May 1, 2025, as gunmen suspected to be kidnappers ambushed and abducted seven travellers, including members of the same family, on their way to a 40-day Fidau prayer in Ivbiaro, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The victims, who had chartered a vehicle from Kaduna to honour the memory of a deceased matriarch, were seized at a notorious bad spot along the Auchi-Warrake Road, shockingly close to a security checkpoint and just a kilometre from their destination.
A source revealed that the driver of the vehicle managed to escape into the bush, while the assailants marched their captives away.
Amidst the chaos, the kidnappers reportedly abandoned a woman and her two toddlers after being irritated by the children’s constant crying.
The following day, in an unexpected twist, the gang released Mallam Nezifi, his wife, and their children—but held onto his son and a female companion who had travelled with them for the prayer session.
As fear and confusion gripped the Ivbiaro community, the abductors reportedly made contact, demanding a whopping ₦10 million ransom for the remaining hostages.
The tragic event has forced the cancellation of the much-anticipated prayer ceremony, plunging the grieving family and the entire community into anguish and frantic negotiations for freedom.
