Residents of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State have been thrown into panic following the abduction of a police inspector and four other persons by suspected gunmen.
The incidents, which occurred in separate attacks, have heightened fears among residents, as kidnapping is said to have become frequent in the area.
It was gathered that two of the victims were abducted at the Makeke Primary Health Centre on February 8.
The victims were identified as Tope Oriloye, a female secondary school student, and Samuel Ilesanmi, who had reportedly accompanied his wife to the health facility to seek medical attention for their son when the gunmen struck.
In a related development, the assailants reportedly stormed the residence of a police inspector, Segun Obanowa, said to be from the Uma/Imoga community in Akoko-Edo but residing in Auchi, and whisked him away alongside his wife and daughter.
His wife was later freed, reportedly to enable her raise ransom for the release of her husband and child.
Findings indicate that the spate of abductions in the council area has compelled local authorities and traditional rulers to impose a daily curfew from 9pm to 6am in a bid to curb the insecurity.
The National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, Bode Ekundayo, in a statement made available in Benin City on Wednesday, condemned the attacks and decried the worsening security situation in the area.
He disclosed that the abductors of Oriloye and Ilesanmi had contacted their families and demanded N100m ransom for their release.
“The kidnappers struck at Makeke village, near Ososo in the eastern axis of Akoko-Edo, where they abducted the two victims at the community health centre.
In another operation in Auchi, they invaded the home of Inspector Segun Obanowa and took him, his wife and daughter, later releasing the wife to source ransom,” Ekundayo said.
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The Edo State Police Command confirmed the incidents, assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe release of the victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
