Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A suspected kidnapping attempt in Ekpoma, Edo State, ended in tragedy last night with the death of a well‑known local businessman, Mr. Jusewayne, the CEO of Principle Takeout in Idumebo. According to multiple residents who spoke to our reporter, the incident occurred late on Saturday, 2 May 2026, when unknown assailants attempted to abduct the victim. The attempt failed, but the businessman was killed in circumstances that remain unclear. Family sources have confirmed that the deceased is survived by his wife and children.
The killing has sent shockwaves through the community and reignited fears that Ekpoma is becoming a hotspot for kidnapping and violent crime. Residents recall that in January 2026, youths staged protests following a series of kidnapping incidents and killings. The demonstrations led to arrests within the community, prompting heightened caution among residents. In response, some indigenes organized counter‑protests, insisting that the town remained safe despite the incidents. But conflicting narratives have done little to calm the nerves of ordinary citizens.
“We are living in fear,” said one resident who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Two young men are still in the custody of suspected kidnappers. One was taken in February, the other in late March. There has been no communication from the abductors. No updates. Nothing.” The resident expressed frustration that the government had not provided meaningful intervention. “We hear about security measures, but we do not see them. Our children cannot walk freely. Our businesses are suffering.”
Another community member, who identified himself as Osagie, described the late businessman as a generous and hardworking man. “He employed many young people in this community. He was not a controversial figure. If they could kill him, then no one is safe.” Osagie called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to deploy additional security personnel to Ekpoma and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.
The Edo State Police Command has not issued an official statement on the incident as of press time. A police source, speaking off the record, said that an investigation has been launched and that a team has been deployed to the area. However, the source could not confirm whether any arrests have been made. The absence of information has only deepened the anxiety.
“This is a pattern,” said a youth leader who has been involved in community security efforts. “Kidnappers come, they take people, they kill sometimes, and then they disappear. The police come after the fact. We need proactive measures, not reactive ones.” The leader also noted that the recent protests in January were a direct response to the rising tide of abductions. “We tried to draw attention to the problem. Some of our young men were arrested. We were told to calm down. But the problem has not gone away. It has gotten worse.”
Religious leaders in Ekpoma have also weighed in. Pastor Matthew Odiase of a local Pentecostal church called for a prayer vigil and urged the government to act decisively. “This is not just about one man. This is about the soul of our community. We cannot allow wicked men to turn Ekpoma into a den of terror.” He appealed to the state government to establish a permanent police post in the area and to equip local vigilantes with communication tools.
The killing of Mr. Jusewayne also raises questions about the safety of business owners in Edo State. The victim was the CEO of a popular takeout restaurant, a place that many residents frequented. “If they can take the life of a man who feeds our people, then no business is safe,” said a trader at the Idumebo market. “We are already struggling with the economy. Now we have to worry about kidnappers.”
As of Sunday evening, the family of the deceased had not released an official statement. Friends and associates have taken to social media to express their grief and to demand justice. Some have called for a boycott of economic activities on Monday to protest the government’s perceived inaction. “We cannot continue to pretend that everything is fine,” one Facebook user wrote. “We must use our collective voice to demand safety.”
The two residents still in captivity have become symbols of the government’s failure to protect its citizens. Their families have been waiting for months for any word of their release. “No one has called us. No one has given us hope,” said a relative of one of the captives. “We have paid money, we have begged, we have done everything. And still, they are not home.”
As the community buries Mr. Jusewayne, the question on everyone’s lips is simple: what will it take for the government to act? Another protest? Another death? Another family shattered? The residents of Ekpoma are watching, waiting, and hoping that this time, the silence from the authorities will be broken.
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