Victims Recount Daring Escape After Kidnappers Fell Asleep
Kidnapped victims in Edo State have narrated how they escaped from their abductors after the captors fell asleep following a night of forced marching through the forest. The incident occurred in Estako West Local Government Area, where armed men abducted at least 11 people from their farms.
According to one of the victims, Destiny Braimah, he was returning from his farm when he encountered six men armed with guns and cutlasses. The kidnappers also seized 10 other persons and took them into the forest. Braimah spoke during a briefing in Benin City on Friday, July 3, 2026, as reported by Vanguard.
Police Gunfire Heard During Forced March
Braimah stated that while the kidnappers were marching the victims through the bush, they heard police shooting. Speaking on behalf of the group, he said: “They took us from one bush to another. It was around 6 p.m. that we heard police shooting. They made us walk throughout the night. We got to a place, and they told us to hide. They were very tired. So they slept off. That was how we helped ourselves and ran away. We ran to the police station and went to meet the police. The kidnappers beat us and maltreated us.”
The victims took advantage of the kidnappers’ exhaustion to escape and subsequently reported to the police, who provided assistance.
Another Victim Ransomed for N3m After Four Days
Another victim, Gloria Inyanugbo, identified her abductors and recounted her ordeal. She spent four days in captivity before her husband paid a ransom of N3 million to secure her release. The Punch reported her story.
In a related development, the state police commissioner, Monday Agbonika, announced that 32 suspected kidnappers were arrested in June. He added that 38 kidnapped victims were rescued through intelligence-driven operations and coordinated tactical responses across the state during the same period.
Broader Context of Kidnapping in Nigeria
This incident is part of a larger pattern of kidnappings in Nigeria. In a separate case, a kidnap victim named AbdulHamid Bello escaped his captors and, despite being severely beaten, led Kano police to a kidnappers' den in Kaduna state. The subsequent police raid resulted in the rescue of 65-year-old Musa Idris, while the kidnappers fled, abandoning a motorcycle and rope.
In another incident, two brothers, Isaac and Victor Olayere, escaped from their abductors in the forest in Edo State. The gunmen had abducted them on Saturday, November 8, 2025, along Adughe–Imoga Road. The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, narrated how the two brothers escaped while efforts were ongoing to raise ransom for their release.
Police Efforts and Community Impact
The Edo State Police Command continues to intensify its manhunt for fleeing suspects. Commissioner Agbonika emphasized that the arrests and rescues were achieved through intelligence-driven operations and coordinated tactical responses. The community has been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
The escape of the victims highlights the risks faced by farmers and rural dwellers in Edo State, where kidnappings for ransom have become a persistent security challenge. The police have called for cooperation from the public to curb the menace.
