Gunmen disguised in military uniforms have abducted eight individuals from a hotel in Edo State, issuing a staggering N100 million ransom demand for their freedom. The incident has plunged the local community into fear and highlighted the persistent security challenges in the region.
Details of the Ibillo Hotel Kidnapping
The abduction occurred on Friday night, January 10, 2025, at the Star Boy Hotel located along the Imoga-Ibillo Road in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. According to the traditional ruler, the Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, the victims had attended a function in Ibillo and chose to lodge at the hotel for the night. The hotel is owned by an indigene of Imoga, Lucky Obaloju, who was among those taken.
Oba Obajoye revealed that the kidnappers arrived at the hotel dressed in army uniforms. They initially posed as patrons, ordering drinks and pretending to wait for someone. After a period, they suddenly accosted the hotel owner, seized his two phones, and proceeded to confiscate the phones of the other guests. The assailants then tied the victims' hands and marched them into the nearby bush on foot.
Ransom Negotiations and Suspected Inside Job
The kidnappers initially demanded N100 million for the release of the eight captives, which includes seven men and one woman. Following negotiations, the ransom was reduced to N70 million. The monarch stated that when the negotiators pleaded for a further reduction, the abductors suggested that one of the hotelier's vehicles should be sold to contribute to the payment.
"The kidnapping looked like an inside job if one considers the way the gunmen spoke to those negotiating the ransom," Oba Obajoye remarked, expressing deep suspicion about the perpetrators' familiarity with the situation. He described the event as a very sad day for the community, expressing hope for a positive resolution while acknowledging the immense difficulty in raising such a large sum of money.
Rescue Efforts and Community Anguish
The traditional ruler commended the Edo State Police Command and the state government for their intervention efforts. He disclosed that security personnel, equipped with modern gadgets, attempted to trace the kidnappers but were unsuccessful in their initial operation. The community remains hopeful that rescue efforts will continue intensively to ensure the victims reunite with their families.
In a related development, it was gathered that one person sustained a gunshot injury during the incident while attempting to escape. The individual is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital. The community's anguish is palpable, with the monarch lamenting the fate of young men and a woman with a great life ahead of them, being targeted in a place meant for safety and rest.
