A brazen kidnapping attempt unfolded in Idumebo, Ekpoma, Edo State, captured live on hostel CCTV as armed suspects targeted a man and his female companion, but their quick escape in a bullet-riddled new Mercedes GLE thwarted the plot. Security forces later apprehended men hiding in nearby bushes, though links to the attack remain unconfirmed. This incident, reported circulating via social media videos this week, highlights Ekpoma’s escalating kidnap crisis, just days after youth protests rocked the university town.
Incident Details
The failed abduction occurred near a student hostel in Idumebo, a hotspot bordering Ihumudumu where gunmen have raided before. Eyewitness accounts and CCTV snippets show assailants emerging from shadows, firing at the couple’s freshly purchased GLE – acquired two weeks prior – before the driver sped off, leaving bullets embedded in the vehicle. “They shot at the car multiple times, but the man floored the accelerator with the lady inside; it was a miracle they escaped,” one local source shared anonymously on social media, echoing unverified reports from AAU Online News. Police have not officially detailed the event, but operations in the area nabbed suspects post-incident.
Broader Kidnap Wave
Ekpoma, home to Ambrose Alli University, faces relentless abductions, with separate CCTV footage surfacing of kidnappers seizing a woman in a chilling snatch. Recent cases include the December 1 raid on Ihumudumu-Idumebo hostels, where five students vanished into bushes, and high-profile snatches like Mr. and Mrs. Aifedighi, held for N100 million ransom at Ujemen. Tragedies abound: victims like student Akhabhe Favour and a former student union leader triggered outrage, while doctors Dr. Abu Babatunde and Dr. Stephen Osamaye were nabbed recently, crippling local healthcare. “Ekpoma is no longer safe; people die unable to pay ransoms,” lamented residents, with insecurity blamed on porous bushes hiding armed groups, possibly Fulani bandits.
Community Backlash
On January 5, 2026, youths protested through Ekpoma’s streets, waving placards against the “alarming kidnappings.” Leader Andrew Oziegbe told journalists, “We are protesting peacefully to draw attention to the persistent insecurity in this community. Students and residents are living in fear, and this cannot continue.” Ambrose Alli University disavowed the action, insisting protesters were not students. Daily life grinds to a halt: hostels empty, night travel halts, businesses suffer, and families pay crippling ransoms or mourn losses.
Security Response and Outlook
Edo Police and state security have ramped patrols, foiling attempts like one on Benin-Lagos Expressway and rescuing victims such as Elohor Osifoh. Earlier demolitions of kidnap dens in Illeh and Uromi recovered arms, signaling aggressive tactics. Yet locals decry inadequate presence. Experts urge sustained bush-combing, community vigilance, and federal aid, warning inaction breeds more boldness.
Residents should report tips to Ekpoma Division, avoid night outings, and support youth calls for checkpoints. Governor Okpebholo’s administration faces mounting pressure – swift arrests from Idumebo could restore fragile trust.
