A civic tech accountability group, MonITNG, has sounded the alarm over a fresh wave of kidnappings along major highways in Edo State, urging Governor Monday Okpebholo and security agencies to take swift and decisive action to curb the growing insecurity.
The organisation raised the alert in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) titled “Kidnapping Alert in Edo State!” in which it decried the “rising tide of abductions and fear” gripping residents across the state.
According to MonITNG, about 10 passengers travelling from Sabo-Gidda Ora in Owan West Local Government Area to Benin City were abducted on Saturday, October 25, 2025, near the NIFOR area close to Aso-Rock Police Checkpoint along the Benin–Sobe–Akure Road.
The group identified two of the victims as Mr. John Odion from Ogute-Emai, Owan East LGA, and Miss Ayeni Joy, adding that the driver and two breastfeeding mothers were later released by the abductors.
“Mr. Odion, who couldn’t get a vehicle from Afuze to Benin, took a motorcycle to Sabo and joined the ill-fated vehicle. He was kidnapped alongside others,” the post read.
MonITNG disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded a ₦20 million ransom, but later reduced their demand to ₦10 million after negotiations began. Similarly, the abductors holding Miss Ayeni Joy have demanded ₦20 million for her release.
The group described the incidents as “yet another frightening reminder of the deteriorating security situation in Edo,” warning that highways in the state had become unsafe for travellers.
MonITNG called on the Edo State Government, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilante groups to intensify operations to rescue the victims and restore public confidence.
“This is a call for justice, action, and humanity,” the group appealed. “Edo State must not become a haven for kidnappers. The government and security agencies must rise to their constitutional duty to protect lives and ensure the safe return of all abducted citizens.”
The post was tagged with several hashtags, including #EdoInsecurity, #SecureEdo, and #EndKidnapping, while tagging official handles of national and state security agencies such as @PoliceNG, @EdoPoliceNG, and @HQNigerianArmy.
The latest abduction comes just days after Wahab Aisha, who was kidnapped two weeks earlier at Igbira Camp in Auchi, regained her freedom. Her release was confirmed by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu, who criticised what he described as the government’s “consistent lack of cooperation” in efforts to combat kidnappings in the state.
“Thankfully, she regained her freedom last night,” Gwamnishu said. “Sadly, we couldn’t apprehend her abductors because the state security agencies and government failed to collaborate with us.”
According to him, Aisha was abducted in Auchi and released in Okpella, both located in Etsako West Local Government Area, after being forced to trek long distances through the forest with her captors.
The recurring kidnappings have further heightened public anxiety in Edo, as residents continue to call for urgent government intervention and improved security patrols across the state’s highways.
