Fear Grips Edo As Kidnappers Demand ₦20 Million Ransom For Abducted Girl

A young girl identified as Wahab Aisha has been kidnapped by armed men at Igbira Camp in Auchi, Edo State, leaving her family and the community in deep distress.

The abductors, who struck last Saturday, have reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦20 million for her release.

A disturbing video circulating on social media shows the frightened girl pleading with the public for help to regain her freedom. The footage has sparked outrage and renewed fears over the growing insecurity in the state.

Residents have expressed frustration over what they described as the government’s silence and failure to address the increasing rate of kidnappings. They lamented that criminal groups now operate freely across major communities in Edo without any strong response from the authorities.

Some locals accused Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration of neglecting its responsibility to protect citizens, describing Edo as fast becoming the “heartbeat of kidnapping.” They recalled past incidents, including the July 2025 abduction of two seminarians from the Immaculate Conception Minor Seminary in Ivhianakpodi, Auchi, where a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps officer was killed. Despite reports of ransom payments, the victims have not been released.

Criticism has also been directed at security agencies in the state, with residents accusing them of focusing more on arresting activists and critics rather than pursuing kidnappers and their informants. They questioned why security operatives seem more efficient in silencing dissent than in tackling violent crime.

The community is now urging Governor Okpebholo to take urgent action to restore safety and confidence across the state. They are demanding tighter patrols, better intelligence coordination, and stronger efforts to dismantle criminal networks that have made travelling and daily life in Edo increasingly dangerous.