At least ten passengers have been kidnapped by gunmen along the Benin–Sobe–Akure Road in Edo State.
The attackers reportedly blocked the highway, forcing several passengers out of a commercial vehicle before whisking them away into the forest.
The victims were said to be travelling from Sabo-Gidda Ora in Owan West Local Government Area to Benin City when the incident happened near the NIFOR area, close to the Aso-Rock Police Checkpoint.
Witnesses said the gunmen operated for several minutes without any resistance, before releasing the driver and two breastfeeding mothers. The kidnappers later demanded ₦20 million ransom for the remaining hostages.
According to reports shared by a civic tech accountability group, MonINOP, the abduction took place on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
The group, in a post titled “KIDNAPPING ALERT IN EDO STATE!”, raised alarm over what it called a growing wave of insecurity across Edo highways.
Among those abducted are a man identified as Mr. John Odion from Ogute-Emai in Owan East LGA and Miss Ayeni Joy, who were taken in separate incidents within the same area. It was gathered that Mr. Odion had joined the vehicle from Sabo after failing to find a direct ride from Afuze to Benin.
Reports indicate that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦20 million from each family but later reduced the demand to ₦10 million after negotiation. Both victims are still being held in the forest, while efforts are ongoing to secure their release.
Residents in the affected communities have continued to express fear over the rising spate of kidnappings along the Benin–Sobe–Akure corridor.
They called on the state government and security agencies to increase patrols and provide stronger protection for travellers.
This latest attack comes just days after a woman identified as Wahab Aisha, who was kidnapped two weeks ago at Igbira Camp in Auchi, regained her freedom. She was reportedly released in Okpella after trekking long distances with her abductors.