Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A 34‑year‑old man kidnapped on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, has regained his freedom after his family allegedly paid a ransom of about ₦5.5 million. The victim, Itua Odiamehi, was seized by armed men along the Ekpoma‑Irrua road while returning from a business trip. According to eyewitness accounts, the abductors initially demanded ₦10 million but settled for ₦5.5 million after days of negotiation. The family, desperate and fearing for his life, raised the money through contributions from relatives and well‑wishers.
The release, however, did not go smoothly. Sources told Stone Reporters News that after the ransom was delivered, the kidnappers directed the family to send representatives to a designated location deep inside a forest to receive the victim. When the representatives arrived, they were met not with a simple handover but with violence. The abductors severely beat the individuals who came to pick up Odiamehi before finally allowing them to leave with the victim. The motives for the beating remain unclear, but security sources suggest it may have been a warning against future interference or a tactic to instil further fear in the community.
The incident has intensified anxiety among residents of Ekpoma, a bustling university town that has witnessed a surge in kidnappings in recent months. Just weeks earlier, a 60‑year‑old retired civil servant was abducted from his farm and held for six days before a ₦3 million ransom was paid. In February, a mother and her two children were taken from their home and released after ₦2.8 million was paid. Community leaders have repeatedly called on the Edo State Government and security agencies to take decisive action, but the attacks continue. The latest kidnapping and the brutal treatment of the rescue party have pushed many residents to the edge of despair.
“We are living in fear. These kidnappers are becoming bolder by the day. They beat people who came to pick up their own son. What kind of wickedness is that?” asked a neighbour of the victim who spoke on condition of anonymity. The neighbour added that many families now avoid travelling after 6 p.m. and have begun sleeping in their living rooms for fear of intruders.
The Edo State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the incident. However, a police source who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that the command is aware of the kidnapping and the alleged ransom payment. “We are investigating the matter. We cannot confirm the ransom because that would amount to aiding and abetting criminality, but we are aware of the incident and efforts are ongoing to track the perpetrators,” the source said. The police have not made any arrests in connection with the abduction, and the kidnappers remain at large.
The family of Itua Odiamehi has expressed profound relief at his return but declined to comment on the ransom payment or the alleged beating of their representatives. In a brief statement, a family spokesperson said, “The family is grateful to God for the safe return of their son and also appreciate everybody that made it possible. We ask for privacy as he recovers from the trauma.” Odiamehi is said to be receiving medical attention for minor injuries sustained during his captivity. He has not yet spoken publicly about his ordeal.
The worsening insecurity in Ekpoma has drawn the attention of civil society groups and the National Human Rights Commission. In a statement on Thursday, the Edo State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) condemned the kidnapping and called on the state government to declare a state of emergency on security in Ekpoma and its environs. “The fact that kidnappers can operate freely, collect ransoms, and even assault citizens who come to pick up a released victim is a clear indictment of the security apparatus. The government must act now,” the CLO said.
A safer Ekpoma is possible, residents insist, but only if security agencies adopt a more proactive approach. They have called for the deployment of additional police patrol teams, the installation of CCTV cameras on major roads, and the establishment of a permanent military checkpoint along the Ekpoma‑Irrua highway. Some have also urged the state government to revive the community policing initiative that was shelved several years ago.
As the sun set on Ekpoma on Friday, the family of Itua Odiamehi counted their blessings. But across the town, hundreds of other families locked their doors early, checked their locks twice, and prayed that the next knock on their door would not come from a kidnapper with a gun and a demand. The hope for a safer Ekpoma remains alive, but for now, fear has the loudest voice.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments