The recent abduction of a local couple, Mr. and Mrs. Osazee Babatunde, has once again brought to the forefront the growing insecurity and the alarming rise in kidnapping incidents across Benin City and surrounding communities.

The couple, who were seized by armed men while returning home on Sunday June 15, 2025 were released six days later. Their ordeal has shaken the Ekewan Road , where residents say kidnappings have become disturbingly frequent in recent months. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the attackers fired shots during the ambush, resulting in the tragic death of a passer-by.

Family sources confirmed that the abductors demanded a ransom and threatened to kill the couple if their demands were not met. The ransom was eventually paid, but the amount was not disclosed, as the family chose to keep it confidential.

Community members who spoke to our correspondent expressed fear and frustration, noting that the kidnappers operated with confidence and without interruption. “These criminals act like they own the streets,” said a shop owner near the attack site. “If they can grab people in broad daylight at their own gate, what chance do the rest of us have?”

Security analysts say that criminal groups—often heavily armed—have expanded their operations, targeting both affluent and ordinary families alike. In several reported cases, victims were taken into forested areas surrounding Benin City, where they were held for several days before being released.

Residents in the Ekewan axis of Benin City said that such attacks have become routine. “We hear gunshots almost every other night,” another resident said. “People are afraid to open their doors. Even going to church or returning from work has become dangerous.”

Local authorities acknowledge the rising trend but insist that efforts are ongoing to combat the criminal networks responsible. However, many citizens argue that security responses have been slow and ineffective, leaving communities to rely largely on their own vigilance.

Civil society organizations are now calling for an urgent overhaul of security operations within Edo State, warning that the region risks sliding into lawlessness if decisive action is not taken.

Despite community demands, fear continues to overshadow daily life. For the Osazee Babatunde family and many others, the memory of violence lingers long after release, serving as a reminder of the widespread danger that now defines the region.