Fresh tension has gripped Edo State following the abduction of Mr. Okasime Olowojoba, the Labour Party (LP) Ward 1 Chairman in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
Olowojoba, who also works as a realtor, was kidnapped along the Auchi–Benin–Ibillo Road while returning to Igarra after picking up his wife and children from Auchi, where they had spent their holiday. The incident occurred on Saturday, April 26, 2025, just days before schools were set to reopen.
Sources told this newspaper that the attack took place around Sasaro, a notorious hotspot previously linked to several abduction cases. Witnesses reported that the gunmen struck at a bad stretch of the road, forcing Olowojoba and his family out of their vehicle.
A source familiar with the incident, who requested anonymity, provided chilling details:
“Valentine Okasime Olowojoba, the LP Ward 1 Chairman, was kidnapped while bringing his family back for school resumption. Initially, the kidnappers took the entire family into the bush but later released his wife, children, and house help, keeping only him. His vehicle was abandoned at the scene.”
The source added that the lack of mobile network coverage in the area on Saturday hampered immediate communication.
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“There was no network until about 12 noon on Sunday. By Monday, the kidnappers contacted the family, demanding a ransom of ₦50 million.”
It was also gathered that other travelers fell victim to separate kidnappings in the same area on Sunday.
As of the time of filing this report, the Edo State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the abduction.
The incident has heightened fears among residents and travelers in Akoko-Edo and neighboring communities, who are now calling for urgent security reinforcement along the troubled highway.