Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Okpella, Edo State — Grief and alarm have gripped this northern Edo community after identical twins, Emmanuel and Emmanuella, both aged 15, were abducted on Thursday night in a violent attack that left their father shot dead at the scene, according to local sources and community accounts emerging over the weekend.
The tragic incident reportedly unfolded in the family’s compound when gunmen stormed the area under cover of darkness, forcing their way in and committing a brutal act that not only took the life of the children’s father but also saw the twins whisked away to an unknown location. The victims were returning home from evening activities when the assailants struck, witnesses said, leaving neighbours in shock and sparking urgent security concerns in the area.
Following the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the family and demanded a staggering ₦100 million ransom for the release of the teenagers, underscoring the increasingly audacious nature of kidnapping networks operating in parts of Edo State and beyond. In a similar incident reported in another state, kidnappers demanded an identical ₦100 million ransom for a captive before later reducing it — a pattern that reflects how ransom negotiations often unfold in high-profile abductions.
Community members and relatives have launched desperate appeals for the twins’ safe return, urging security agencies to intensify search and rescue operations. Social media posts from family contacts describe a frantic effort to locate the boys and girl, with messages of condolence for their slain father flooding local groups and online forums.
The murder of the parents — especially in cases involving children’s abduction — has deepened public outcry, with residents decrying what many describe as a pattern of escalating criminal boldness. This pattern has been observed in recent months in Edo, where multiple kidnapping incidents have placed a spotlight on the state’s vulnerability to such attacks, despite government assurances and initiatives aimed at curbing the menace. In one separate case earlier this month, police rescued 11 victims of a gang on the Benin–Akure highway, though several others remained missing, highlighting the scale of the issue.
Public appeals for the twins’ release have included calls from youth organisations, parent groups and local leaders invoking prayers, rallies and urgent dialogue with security forces, including the Edo State Police Command and local vigilante outfits. These groups are urging coordinated action with state and federal security agencies to locate the captives before harm befalls them.
Edo State has seen heightened insecurity and kidnappings over the past year, prompting strong statements from authorities. In April, the state government backed legislation that would impose the death penalty on kidnappers captured in the act, intending to send a stern warning to criminal syndicates who target vulnerable citizens, including children and travellers.
As the family and community await news, residents continue to express deep fear over the twins’ fate, calling on anyone with information to come forward. The tragic loss of the patriarch and the ongoing plight of Emmanuel and Emmanuella have become a stark reminder of the daily risks faced by families in regions where armed groups and criminal gangs operate with impunity.
Authorities have yet to issue an official update as of this report, but community leaders say they are in close contact with police, offering any intelligence that may help locate the twins and bring those responsible to justice. In the meantime, vigils, prayers and peaceful demonstrations have been organised locally as Okpella prays for the safe return of its young citizens.
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