Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted nine members of a family and five other children in Edo State.
The victims were reportedly taken along the Eko-Abeku-Iyowa Road in Evboneka community, located on the Benin-Akure highway, at about 5:00pm on Monday, February 2, 2026, while they were returning from school.
Among those abducted were a nursing mother, six children including a small baby, and her two younger sisters.
Speaking on the incident, the head of the family, Festus Bamidele, said the kidnappers later released the nursing mother and her baby after heavy rainfall on the same day. He explained that the family became aware of the abduction when the woman and her baby returned home.
Bamidele also revealed that three other children in pre-kindergarten classes were later rescued through the efforts of vigilante members and police operatives in the community.
However, he said four victims, aged between 11 and 26 years, are still being held by the abductors. Those still in captivity include his children, his younger sister and his sister-in-law.
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According to him, the kidnappers have contacted the family and demanded a ransom of ₦260 million.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, Eno Ikoedem, said operatives from the Ekiadolor Division engaged the abductors in a gun battle and were able to rescue five victims unhurt, while four others were taken away.
She added that police, working alongside hunters and vigilante groups, have launched a bush combing operation in a bid to rescue the remaining victims and arrest the perpetrators.
