Three persons have reportedly been abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Ebelle-Amughe Road in Okpekpe community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
DAILY POST gathered that two of the victims were allegedly killed by their abductors, while the third sustained serious gunshot injuries but managed to escape.
The development was disclosed in a Save Our Soul, SOS, message addressed to the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, by Omokhagbor Sixtus and Concerned Okpekpe Indigenes.
The SOS was also addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Patrick Daaor; the Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Edo State Command; Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idaiye; and Kingsley Ugabi, the member representing Etsako East Constituency in the State House of Assembly.
Sixtus, in the statement dated September 7, 2026, alleged that the three victims were abducted on Monday, August 31, 2026, along the Ebelle-Amughe Road in the area.
He said the kidnappers demanded N30 million ransom for their release, adding that N3 million was raised and delivered to the abductors around the Okpella-BUA axis in a desperate effort to secure the victims’ freedom.
According to him, the victims were later killed, except for one who escaped with gunshot wounds.
“I write with a heavy heart to bring to your urgent attention the tragic kidnapping of three sons of Okpekpe along the Ebelle-Amughe Road.
“The victims were kidnapped last Monday, and a ransom of N30 million was demanded for their release.
“In a desperate effort to save them, N3 million was raised and delivered to the kidnappers around the Okpella-BUA axis.
“Sadly, two of the victims were killed, while the third escaped with bullet wounds”, he said.
Sixtus said the incident had thrown the affected families and the entire Okpekpe community into mourning and heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in the area.
He said the growing insecurity posed serious threat to the safety of residents, their livelihoods and the overall development of Okpekpe Kingdom.
“When people live in fear of kidnapping and violent attacks, farmers are unable to safely access their farmlands, traders and businesses suffer, children and teachers are affected, and free movement within and around the community becomes increasingly difficult.
“If urgent action is not taken, insecurity will continue to negatively affect agriculture, education, commerce and every other facet of our local economy,” he added.
He appealed to the state government, the lawmaker representing the constituency in the State House of Assembly and security agencies to urgently intervene by strengthening security along the Ebelle-Amughe and Okpella-BUA corridors, as well as other vulnerable areas in Okpekpe Kingdom.
He also called for a thorough investigation to ensure that those responsible for the alleged killings were apprehended and brought to justice.
Sixtus further appealed for medical, humanitarian and other forms of support for the surviving victim and the bereaved families.
“The community earnestly seeks the intervention and support of relevant governments and security agencies to help restore security, peace and confidence in the community and protect the lives and livelihoods of our people.
“We therefore humbly appeal to your good offices to urgently intervene by conducting the necessary security investigation and intelligence gathering to identify those behind this heinous act and support efforts to ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to justice.
“We also appeal for enhanced security surveillance and intelligence operations along the Ebelle-Amughe and Okpella-BUA corridors, as well as other vulnerable areas within Okpekpe Kingdom, to prevent further attacks and safeguard the lives and property of residents and travellers.
Meanwhile, former chairman of Etsako East Local Government Area, Princess Benedicta Attoh, also decried the worsening security situation in Okpekpe community, particularly along the Ebelle-Amuhe and Ebelle-Uzanu roads and surrounding communities.
Attoh appealed to Governor Okpebholo and relevant security agencies to urgently intervene to secure the community.
She alleged that about 10 persons had lost their lives to the activities of bandits and kidnappers in the community since November 2024.
