Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
BENIN CITY, NIGERIA — A brutal attack by suspected kidnappers in Edo State has left a family devastated and drawn renewed attention to the persistent insecurity plaguing parts of southern Nigeria. On the night of December 11, 2025, gunmen forcefully entered a family home in Kalabar Quarters, Afokpella community in Etsako East Local Government Area, killing the father and abducting his twin teenage children in a violent abduction that triggered a major security response. The teenagers were later found and rescued unhurt by combined security forces, authorities confirmed in a statement issued this week, as the hunt continues for their assailants.
The victim has been identified as Ilabeshi Okhale, a father of two, whose life was cut short in what security officials described as a targeted and premeditated act by armed criminals. According to residents, the assailants switched off the family’s generator before launching their attack, luring Mr. Okhale outside his home. As he stepped out to investigate the sudden loss of power, the gunmen struck, inflicting severe machete wounds that left him fatally injured. He was rushed to Ajie Hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him dead on arrival. His body was later deposited at the Santa Maria Morgue in Jattu for a post-mortem examination.
The assailants abducted Mr. Okhale’s 16-year-old twin children, Emmanuel and Emmanuella, dragging them into nearby bushland. In the aftermath of the kidnapping, the criminals reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦100 million, a sum that has become all too familiar in Nigeria’s ongoing battle against kidnappers who increasingly seek large payouts for the release of captives.
The Edo State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, quickly mobilised a joint security operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), local hunters and vigilante groups. The collaborative effort, described by authorities as intensive and coordinated, involved extensive bush-combing operations that eventually led to the safe rescue of the abducted twins. They were found unharmed and have since been reunited with their grieving family.
Edo State’s police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, praised the swift action taken by the multi-agency response team, noting that the operation’s success was a testament to improved coordination among security services. She also confirmed that investigations are ongoing to track down and apprehend those responsible for the violent abduction and killing. “Our teams acted on credible information and were determined to bring the children back safely,” she said. “Efforts are now focused on ensuring that these perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The attack has provoked concern and anxiety among residents in Afokpella and surrounding communities, reflecting broader frustrations over rising incidents of violent crime, including kidnappings, banditry and targeted killings across Edo and other Nigerian states. Security analysts have long warned that criminal gangs continue to exploit forested and semi-remote areas to launch ambushes and kidnappings, often escaping capture due to challenging terrain and limited resources available to law enforcement agencies.
In recent months, Edo State security forces have reported significant strides in combating criminality, with authorities disclosing that hundreds of suspects have been arrested and scores of kidnapping victims rescued throughout 2025. In announcements made late last month, state police officials said that 821 suspects were apprehended for various crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery and murder, and that as many as 377 kidnap victims were freed by security personnel during operations spanning the year. These figures were provided as part of a scorecard aimed at reassuring the public ahead of the festive season.
Despite these gains, the deadly attack on the Okhale family underscores the relentless threat posed by armed criminal networks that continue to operate with alarming boldness. In parts of southern Nigeria, community members often organise local hunter groups and vigilante units to support official patrols and fill gaps in surveillance and response. While such collaborations have yielded successes, they also highlight the persistent challenges faced by state and federal forces in establishing lasting security in vulnerable regions.
The kidnapping and subsequent rescue of Emmanuel and Emmanuella have drawn both relief and somber reflection among residents in Kalabar Quarters. Local leaders expressed gratitude for the safe return of the twins but condemned the killing of Mr. Okhale, describing it as a tragic loss for the community. “This is a family that has suffered an irreparable loss,” one neighbour said. “We thank the security forces for bringing the children home, but we mourn with this family and pray that those behind this cruelty are found.”
Edo State’s government has responded to the incident with renewed calls for community vigilance and cooperation with security agencies. Officials reiterated that information sharing with law enforcement remains critical to preventing kidnappings and similar violent crimes. They also emphasized ongoing investments in security infrastructure, patrol capability enhancements and intelligence-driven operations that aim to deter criminal elements and improve safety for residents.
The incident in Afokpella comes amid a broader national context in which kidnapping for ransom has become a significant security threat, with criminal gangs emboldened by wide tracts of ungoverned territories and sophisticated communication networks. In many parts of Nigeria, kidnappers have targeted travellers, families, schoolchildren and community leaders, demanding large ransoms and, in some cases, executing captives when demands are not met. Efforts by federal and state authorities continue to intensify, with military and police leadership pushing for more coordinated strategies, including aerial surveillance, strengthened checkpoints and deeper community engagement.
For the Okhale family and the community of Kalabar Quarters, the emotional toll of the December attack lingers even as the twins return home. Their rescue serves as a reminder of both the dangers that persist across parts of Nigeria and the importance of a resolute security response. Authorities have pledged to sustain their pursuit of justice, hoping that swift arrests and prosecutions will send a strong message to criminal syndicates that their reign of terror will not go unanswered.
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