Abducted Edo brothers escape as kidnappers sleep off

Two brothers abducted along the Adughe–Imoga Road in Edo State on November 8 have regained their freedom after reportedly escaping from their kidnappers’ den.

The victims, identified as Isaac and Victor Olayere, were kidnapped in Uma/Imoga, Akoko Edo Local Government Area, and taken deep into the bush. The abductors later demanded a ransom of N22 million from their family.

While the community was still struggling to raise the ransom, the brothers reportedly contacted their father using an unknown number to inform him that they had managed to escape.

The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, confirmed the development in a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro on Monday.

He said, “The two brothers were kidnapped on November 8 along the Adughe–Imoga Road and were taken into the bush. Later, the kidnappers demanded N22 million, which threw the Uma/Imoga community into confusion. I reported the matter to the Ibillo Police Station, hoping for their rescue.”

Obajoye explained that the brothers escaped after their captors mysteriously fell asleep in the forest. They were later rescued by local vigilantes from Adughe, a neighbouring community in Kogi State that shares linguistic and cultural ties with Imoga.

“It was said that the kidnappers went into a deep sleep, which allowed their victims to flee. They were found by vigilantes in Adughe, who alerted Imoga residents. The youths mobilised and entered the forest, but the kidnappers had already escaped,” he said.

The monarch lamented the growing cases of kidnapping and armed herder attacks in the area, calling on the authorities to establish a police post in Imoga to enhance security.

He added, “We urgently need police presence in Imoga. A police post here will ensure regular patrols and give residents peace of mind. Imoga is the largest community in Akoko Edo by landmass and serves as a gateway between Edo and the northern part of the country. Many herders have moved into the area, increasing security concerns.”

Since the inauguration of Governor Monday Okpebholo on November 12, 2024, the state government has launched several initiatives to strengthen security, rehabilitate roads, and improve education. However, kidnapping incidents have persisted despite the provision of patrol vehicles, motorcycles, and equipment to security agencies.

The kidnapping crisis in Edo reached a boiling point on March 28, 2025, when a mob in Uromi, Edo Central, lynched seven suspected kidnappers after guns were discovered in a truck allegedly transporting them to the northern part of the country.