Edo Community In Panic Over N40m Ransom Demand As Kidnappers Threaten To Kill 8 Abducted Victims

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There is anxiety in Imoga community in Akoko Edo local government area of Edo State as residents make frantic efforts to raise a N40 million ransom being demanded by kidnappers who threatened to kill eight of their indigenes seized since January 9, 2026, at the Star Boy Hotel located along Ibillo Road.

A statement on Friday by the Coordinator, Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, Dr Bode Ekundayo said the kidnappers made the threat to show the community and families of the victims that they “mean business”.

Ekundayo said the kidnappers, who initially demanded N100 million as ransom, later came down to N80 million and then to N40 million, which he lamented was too difficult for the community members and families to raise.

Recounting efforts being made, Ekundayo said the royal father of the community, Oba Patrick Abudu, sent out town criers and spokesmen to all houses on January 15 to solicit for more funds to meet the kidnappers’ demand.

According to Ekundayo, “On the 15th January 2026, the Orkpahi b’ Uma, Oba Patrick Abudu, sent the village town criers and spokesmen round all the houses in the community to sweep kobos and nairas together to raise the ransom demanded by the men of the underworld who have held their kidnapped victims incommunicado since last week.

“However, the amount raked in is a far cry from the N40 million the kidnappers are demanding. They are unwilling to climb down and threatening to kill some of the victims to prove that they ‘mean business.’

Ekundayo further disclosed that two brothers, Ojo and Abiodun Ekpo, also from the community, escaped from kidnappers who tried to hold them hostage.

He said, “On 15th January 2026, kidnappers descended on two brothers, Ojo Ekpo and Mr. Abiodun Ekpo, who were working in the farm.
“The unknown kidnappers first took away Ojo, the elder, who was working in a section of the farm, unknown to Abiodun, his younger brother, working at another side of the forest.

“After calling and screaming Ojo’s name to no avail, Abiodun Ekpo rode his motorcycle to the section of the wilderness where his brother Ojo was supposed to have been working.

“Suddenly, the kidnappers who had laid an ambush, appeared, and Abiodun had to flee, abandoning his motorcycle that he had already parked in another section of the forest.

“On reporting his experience back at home, the community vigilantes and youths mobilised and entered the wilderness in search of the kidnappers and their victim.

“Somehow, Ojo Ekpo escaped at midnight from the kidnappers to the joy and relief of the community”.

Oba Abudu stated that the community had since last year, before the outbreak of incessant kidnapping, informed the state and local governments of the illegal occupation of Imoga land by suspected bandits, herders and kidnappers and its threat to peace and security.

The Oba said he had sent a save-our-soul message to all the tiers of Nigerian government while also resolving to confront the scourge frontally with all the wisdom at their disposal.