Eleven kidnap victims have recounted how they escaped from captivity after their abductors reportedly fell asleep following an overnight trek through a forest in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The victims narrated their ordeal on Friday, July 3, 2026, during a press briefing at the Edo State Police Command Headquarters in Benin City, where the command also highlighted its recent achievements in combating violent crimes.
Speaking on behalf of the victims, Braimah Destiny said he was returning from his farm when he encountered six armed men carrying guns and machetes.
According to Destiny, the gunmen abducted him alongside 10 other victims and forced them into the forest.
“I was coming from the farm when I met six of them armed with guns and machetes.”
“They also captured others making 11 victims.”
”They took us from one bush to another.”
” It was around six p.m. and we heard the police shooting.”
“They made us walk throughout the night.”
“We got to a place and they told us to hide.”
“They were very tired and they slept off,” Destiny said.
He said the victims seized the opportunity to flee when the kidnappers fell asleep.
“That was how we ran to the police.”
“The kidnappers beat us and maltreated us,” he added.
Another victim, Gloria Inyanugbo, recounted a separate kidnapping incident in which she was abducted while working on her farm on January 12, 2026.
She said she spent four days in captivity before her husband secured her release after paying a ransom of ₦3 million and an additional ₦300,000 demanded by the kidnappers for food, hard drugs and other items.
“I was kidnapped on the 12th of January when I was working inside the farm.”
“They asked how much I have in my account after taking me inside the bush,” Inyanugbo said.
“I spent four days until my husband raised ₦3m and another ₦300,000 to buy hard drugs, food and other items,” she added.
Inyanugbo also expressed surprise over the arrest of some of the suspects.
“The community vigilante nabbed two of them inside the bush and the police arrested others through tracking.”
“I saw one of them that boasted that nobody can do anything to him.”
“I can’t imagine that the police could arrest them,” she said.
Speaking at the briefing, Monday Agbonika said the command had intensified efforts to tackle violent crimes across the state through sustained intelligence-led operations.
“The accomplishments we showcase today are the outcome of the commitment, professionalism, and selflessness of the Edo State Police Command officers, who collaborate closely with other security agencies and receive patriotic support from the Edo State populace,” Agbonika said.
He said the command arrested 32 suspected kidnappers and rescued 38 kidnapped victims during operations conducted across the state in June 2026.
Agbonika also disclosed that the police arrested 15 suspected cultists, three armed robbery suspects, 11 murder suspects and 14 suspects linked to rape and defilement cases within the same period.
“These achievements underscore our unwavering resolve to rid Edo State of criminal elements and demonstrate that the Command remains proactive, responsive, and relentless in confronting every form of violent crime,” Agbonika said.
He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information, describing public cooperation as critical to sustaining the fight against crime in the state.