In a disturbing development, the Ward 1 Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Valentine Okasime Olowojoba, has been kidnapped along the Auchi-Benin-Ibillo Road while returning to Igarra from Auchi.
Sources confirmed that Olowojoba, a realtor, was abducted on Saturday near Sasaro — a notorious hotspot for kidnappings. He was en route to pick up his children, who had just concluded their holiday in Auchi and were preparing to resume school in Igarra.
According to reports, all occupants of Olowojoba’s vehicle — himself, his children, and a house help — were initially seized. However, the kidnappers later freed the house help and the children, taking only Olowojoba into the forest. His vehicle was left abandoned at the scene.
A family source told Hobnob News on Monday that the kidnappers have demanded a ransom of ₦50 million for his release.
“The network in that area was completely down on Saturday, delaying any communication until Sunday afternoon,” the source explained. “It was only after network service returned that the family was able to confirm the abduction and the ransom demand.”
There are also reports that additional abductions occurred in the same area on Sunday, raising further concerns about security along the route.
Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, for official confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls and messages remained unanswered at the time of filing this report.
The situation has sparked anxiety among residents and political stakeholders in the region, with many calling for intensified security measures to curb the rising wave of kidnappings.
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