Family of Edo kidnapped twins says children were released after ransom payment, disputing police claims that they were rescued unharmed

The family of twins abducted following the murder of their father has challenged claims by the Edo State Police Command that the victims were rescued unharmed.

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The deceased father, Andrew Ilabeshi, was killed on 11 December at Kalabar Quarters, Afokpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, after gunmen forcibly broke into his residence, inflicted machete wounds, and abducted his 16-year-old twin children, Emmanuel and Emmanuella.

The assailants reportedly switched off the family generator, attacking Ilabeshi when he came to investigate, leaving him fatally injured.

Police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem had previously stated that the twins were rescued unharmed by a combined team of security operatives.

However, the family, speaking through deceased Andrew Ilabeshi’s brother, Okhale Ilabeshi, says the children were not rescued but released after a substantial ransom was paid.

The family said the twins were traumatised upon learning of their father’s death following their release.

“The twins were not rescued. We paid ransom to the kidnappers. Nobody rescued them,” Okhale Ilabeshi said.

“After the ransom was paid, the kidnappers asked us to go to a location, and the twins were found there. They were tired and exhausted and were shocked when they heard about their father’s death.”

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The family urged the state and federal governments to strengthen efforts against kidnappings, noting that community vigilante initiatives had proven insufficient to prevent such attacks.