Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have reportedly shot a man identified as Raphael, abducted his wife and three others in Edo State.
DAILY POST gathered that the shooting of the man and the abduction of his wife and the other victims happened at Imeakabu and Itsukwi communities in Etsako East Local Government Area of the State.
It was gathered that the incident between Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, 2026 at the communities.
The victims were each kidnapped separately in the communities located in the North Ibie axis of the Local Government Area.
The gunmen were alleged to have demanded N15 million ransom each from two of the victims kidnapped from Itsukwi community while they were yet to contact the families of the other two victims abducted from the Imeakabu community.
The gunmen allegedly whisked the victims into the bush immediately after the abduction.
The traditional ruler of the area, His Royal Highness Suleiman Ali, the Ogieaga of three Ibie confirmed the incident.
Ali said the gunmen stormed Itsukwi community and kidnapped two persons and later moved to the adjourning Imeakabu community two days after and kidnapped two other persons.
The traditional ruler who confirmed the ransom demanded by the suspected kidnappers added that security and vigilante members are combing the bush to rescue the victims.
When contacted the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem who also confirmed the incident said they were only aware of the kidnapping of two persons.
According to her, “we are aware of two people but only one was reported at the station. However, bush combing is ongoing to rescue the victims unhurt.
