Edo kidnapping attacks see gunmen abduct a police inspector and four others in Auchi and Makeke, with ransom demands reported

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers carried out Edo kidnapping attacks on February 8, 2026, abducting a police inspector and four other persons in two separate incidents across Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State.

Also read: Gunmen Abduct Woman, Injure Three in Ondo Attack

Police Inspector Segun Obanowa, an indigene of the Uma Imoga community in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, was reportedly seized alongside his wife and daughter at his residence in Auchi, the headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area.

The assailants later released the wife, allegedly to enable her to arrange ransom for the release of Police Inspector Segun Obanowa and the daughter.

In a separate incident the same day, armed men stormed a community health centre in Makeke, Akoko Edo Local Government Area, abducting Miss Tope Oriloye, a secondary school student, and Samuel Ilesanmi, who had reportedly taken his son to the facility for treatment.

Bode Ekundayo, National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, confirmed the incidents in a statement on Wednesday, stating that the kidnappers had contacted the families of Miss Tope Oriloye and Samuel Ilesanmi with a demand of 100 million naira for their release.

Bode Ekundayo added that local hunters and vigilantes in Makeke mobilised through the night to comb surrounding forests, but the search did not yield results.

Eno Ikoedem, spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, confirmed the Makeke abduction when contacted.

Eno Ikoedem said the police had arrested some suspects and that investigations were ongoing to secure the safe return of the victims and apprehend those responsible.

As of the time of filing this report, Eno Ikoedem had not responded to enquiries regarding the reported abduction of Police Inspector Segun Obanowa and members of the family in Auchi.

Also read: Gunmen Demand N70m for Eight Kidnapped Imoga Indigenes

The incidents come amid heightened security concerns in the area. On January 9, 2026, seven indigenes of Imoga staying at Stay Boy Hotel along Imoga Ibillo Road were abducted alongside the hotel owner.