Gunmen release four family members after ₦15m ransom payment in Edo

By Jethro Ibileke

A family in Benin City, Edo State, has paid ₦15 million ransom to secure the release of four members abducted by gunmen along the Benin-Akure road.

The victims were kidnapped on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Eko-Abeku-Iyowa Road within the Evboneka community while returning from school.

The armed men had initially abducted nine members of the family, includingEdo State a nursing mother, her two-month-old baby, five school-aged children and two sisters.

Five of the victims were freed on the day of the abduction, while four others, aged between 11 and 26 years, were held captive. The kidnappers reportedly demanded ₦260 million from the family before negotiations led to a reduced payment.

Head of the family, Mr. Festus Bamidele, confirmed that the remaining captives were released on Friday, February 9, after the family paid ₦15 million and provided additional items worth ₦250,000 as demanded by the abductors.

Bamidele disclosed that his children regained freedom alongside other victims kidnapped at Ukhunwmun community on Wednesday, February 4, following separate ransom payments.

The incident adds to growing security concerns along the Benin-Akure corridor, where cases of kidnapping for ransom have become frequent, heightening anxiety among residents and commuters.