Gunmen kill father, kidnap two daughters, demand ₦20 million ransom

By Jethro Ibileke

Gunmen have killed a palace chief, Chief Jacob Ojemai, and kidnapped his two daughters in a brazen attack on his residence in Idoa community, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The assailants also injured the victim’s wife during the incident, which occurred last week. Police have confirmed the attack and launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.

According to sources close to the family, four gunmen stormed Chief Ojemai’s home, shot him dead, inflicted machete wounds on his wife, and abducted his two daughters into the surrounding bush.

The kidnappers have since contacted the family, demanding ₦40 million ransom for the release of the victims. The sum was later negotiated down to ₦20 million, a source disclosed.

But the family is now in a dilemma over how to raise the money, as the breadwinner who would have coordinated the ransom payment was killed in the attack.

“Community members are making efforts to see how they can raise the ransom for the daughters to regain their freedom from captivity,” the source said.

The traditional ruler of the area, the Onojie of Idoa, Alhaji Amedu Momoh, confirmed the incident and raised alarm over the deteriorating security situation in the community.

“Gunmen have been terrorizing this community,” the monarch said, calling on the state government and security agencies to beef up patrols and protect lives and property.

Confirming the incident, Edo State Police Command spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said operatives have been deployed to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims unharmed.

“We have commenced a manhunt for the gunmen and are working to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped daughters,” Ikoedem said.