Fear and anxiety have gripped communities in Edo State following the abduction of passengers traveling in an 18-seater bus and a Toyota Camry along the Benin–Auchi Road on September 5, as gunmen responsible for the attack have now demanded a ransom of ₦15 million per person for the release of those still in captivity.
Security reports indicate that while 16 passengers have so far been rescued through combined efforts of local vigilantes and security agencies, several victims remain in the hands of the kidnappers, including a woman who was returning from a funeral when the incident occurred. The brazen attack adds to the growing wave of kidnappings that have plagued Nigeria’s highways, turning routine travel into a life-threatening gamble. Families of the victims are said to be in deep distress as they scramble to raise the staggering sums demanded, even as many question why such criminal gangs continue to operate with impunity.
The Edo State Police Command has confirmed ongoing rescue efforts, assuring the public that security operatives are working tirelessly to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe return of the remaining captives. However, residents remain skeptical, pointing to repeated cases where official promises failed to prevent further attacks. The incident underscores the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become a lucrative enterprise for armed gangs, leaving ordinary citizens vulnerable and eroding public confidence in the state’s ability to protect its people.
As families await word on the fate of their loved ones, the latest demand serves as yet another grim reminder of the human toll of insecurity and the urgent need for more decisive action against criminal networks terrorizing the nation.