Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Five months after they were snatched from their community in a brazen night raid, the two wives and three children of the traditional ruler of Odae Bunu community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State remain in the hands of their abductors, despite the payment of a N25 million ransom by their desperate family. The victims, who were abducted on April 13, 2026, have now spent nearly five months in captivity, their fate hanging in the balance as the kidnappers reneged on their promise to release them and instead demanded additional funds, according to sources familiar with the incident.
The abduction of the royal family members, which occurred when armed men invaded the community and abducted two royal queens and their children before taking them into a forest hideout, has become one of the most high-profile kidnapping cases in Kogi State this year. The family and community members pooled resources to raise the N25 million, hoping it would secure the release of their loved ones. However, the kidnappers took the money and refused to free the victims, insisting on more funds. A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Stone Reporters: "We are in a state of despair. The family paid N25 million, but the kidnappers are still holding them and asking for more. We are appealing to Governor Ododo to intervene before it is too late. These are innocent women and children who have been through unimaginable trauma."
The abduction of the royal family members is part of a disturbing pattern of kidnappings in Kogi State, where criminal networks have grown increasingly bold and sophisticated. In a related incident, the same kidnapping group is also responsible for the abduction of Mr. AB Adebayo, popularly known as Kemuna, and his pregnant wife, who were taken from Iluke Bunu in May 2026. They have also remained in captivity for about three months. The family of Mr. Adebayo had earlier released a disturbing video showing him being brutally assaulted by his captors while pleading for his life and the payment of ransom. In the video, Adebayo is seen on the ground while his captors repeatedly beat him with sticks, desperately appealing for mercy and assuring them that his family would send the money they were demanding.
The ordeal of the Odae Bunu royal family has taken a particularly harrowing turn, with reports that the abductors initially demanded a staggering N500 million ransom for the release of the victims. A viral video showing kidnapped victims being flogged in captivity had earlier sparked outrage, with the victims heard crying for help in Owé and Bùnú dialects as they were flogged by their captors. Residents disclosed that the abductors killed one of the victims and sent the video to the family, followed by another clip showing those still in captivity being beaten. A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, security agencies and well-meaning Nigerians to intervene. "It is heartbreaking to watch a mother being beaten after her son was killed before her eyes. We are pleading for urgent help to secure their release," the source said.
The Kogi State Government has repeatedly condemned the wave of abductions and pledged to strengthen security, but the persistence of such incidents has left many residents questioning the effectiveness of the government's response. The family has called on the Kogi State Government and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to assist in securing the release of the victims, stating that their condition has become a matter of life and death. Residents of Odae Bunu and surrounding communities are appealing to security agencies to intensify efforts toward rescuing the victims and ensuring their safe return. The community has been living in fear, with many farmers abandoning their farmlands over fears of attacks and abductions. "This is not just about one family. The entire community is suffering. People are afraid to go to their farms. We need the government to step in and restore security," a resident said.
Efforts to get a response from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson did not respond to calls and messages as of the time of filing this report. Meanwhile, authorities in Kogi State had earlier arrested two suspected members of the gang linked to the viral video showing kidnapped victims being flogged. The Kabba/Bunu Local Government Authority acknowledged the tension generated by the video and assured residents that efforts were underway to rescue the victims. However, five months after the abduction, the two wives and three children of the Odae Bunu monarch remain in captivity, their fate uncertain, as the kidnappers continue to hold them hostage, demanding more money and defying the government's no-ransom policy.
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