Tension In Edo As Insecurity Worsens Under Governor Okpebholo
A civic tech accountability group, MonITNG, has raised the alarm over the worsening wave of kidnappings along Edo highways, calling on Governor Monday Okpebholo and security agencies to urgently intervene.
The organisation made the call in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), titled “KIDNAPPING ALERT IN EDO STATE!”
MonITNG expressed deep concern over what it described as “the growing wave of insecurity in Edo State, as families are thrown into pain and fear.”
According to the post, “Two individuals, Mr. John Odion from Ogute-Emai, Owan East LGA, and Miss Ayeni Joy, are among the victims of the kidnapping incident that occurred on Saturday, October 25, 2025, around the NIFOR area near Aso-Rock Police Checkpoint, along the Benin–Sobe–Akure Road.”
The platform disclosed that about ten passengers travelling from Sabo-Gidda Ora in Owan West Local Government Area to Benin City were abducted by gunmen, while “the driver and two breastfeeding mothers were released.”
Providing further details, MonITNG stated that “Mr. Odion, who could not find a vehicle from Afuze to Benin, took a bike to Sabo and joined the ill-fated journey where he was kidnapped alongside others.”
It added that “the kidnappers initially demanded ₦20 million ransom, but negotiations are ongoing and they are now asking for ₦10 million for his release.”
The group also reported that “Miss Ayeni Joy was kidnapped around the same location while returning from Afuze,” noting that the abductors had demanded “₦20 million ransom for her freedom.”
The civic tech group said these incidents “have once again exposed the frightening state of insecurity on Edo highways, where innocent citizens live in fear of abduction.”
MonITNG appealed to the Edo State government, the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army, and local vigilante groups to “act swiftly and decisively to secure the release of these victims and restore safety along the Benin–Sobe–Akure corridor.”
It warned that the situation demanded “urgent intervention and visible security presence to prevent further abductions.”
Ending its post with a passionate appeal, the group declared: “This is a call for justice, action, and humanity. Edo State must not become a haven for kidnappers. The lives of our brothers and sisters matter. The government and security agencies must rise to their duty, protect lives, rescue victims, and restore peace.”
The post was accompanied by hashtags and mentions directed at state and national security authorities, including #EdoInsecurity, #SecureEdo, #EndKidnapping, @PoliceNG, @EdoPoliceNG, @HQNigerianArmy, and others.
This development is coming just days after Wahab Aisha, who was kidnapped two weeks ago at Igbira Camp in Auchi, Edo State, regained her freedom.
Aisha’s release was confirmed on Saturday by an activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, who expressed both relief and frustration over what he described as the government’s failure to collaborate in the rescue mission.
“Thankfully, she regained her freedom last night. Sadly, we couldn’t move in to capture her abductors because the State security agencies and the Edo State government have repeatedly failed to respond to our calls for collaboration.”
According to him, Aisha was kidnapped at Igbira Camp in Auchi and released in Okpella, Edo State — two distant communities in Etsako West Local Government Area.
He revealed that the victim was forced to trek a long distance with her abductors before her eventual release.
🚨KIDNAPPING ALERT IN EDO STATE!
Dear Governor @m_akpakomiza
We are deeply troubled by the growing wave of insecurity in Edo State, as families are thrown into pain and fear. Two individuals, Mr. John Odion from Ogute-Emai, Owan East LGA, and Miss Ayeni Joy, are among the
