Gunmen

By Jethro Ibileke 

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted seven persons, including three members of a family, in the Ivbiaro community, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo.

The victims were travelling from Kaduna State to Ivbiaro community to attend the 40-day Fidau prayer of the late mother-in-law of one of them.

They were on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at a bad spot near the security checkpoint on the Auchi-Warrake Road, less than a kilometre from the community.

It was gathered that the driver escaped into the bush.

A source close to the victims who spoke anonymously said the family chartered the vehicle from Kaduna State to the community to attend the program slated for Saturday, May 3, 2025.

The source disclosed that the gunmen abandoned one of the women and her two small children because of the children’s incessant crying.

The following day, they also released the man, simply identified as Mallam Nezifi, his wife and two small children, while they held on to his son and one other female friend who came with them for the prayers.

Meanwhile, the gunmen have reportedly demanded the sum of ₦10 million ransom for the victims.

It was gathered that the development has thrown the entire community into confusion, as the prayers could no longer take place, as they were doing everything possible to get the ransom to free the abducted victims.