Eight persons, including a hotel owner, have been abducted from Star Boy Hotel in Ibillo, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, with kidnappers reportedly demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.
The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, disclosed to Punch on Monday that the victims were staying at the hotel after attending a function in Ibillo on Friday night.
Star Boy Hotel, owned by an indigene of Imoga, became the target of the kidnappers who reportedly posed in army uniforms and carried drinks to create the impression they were waiting for someone.
According to the monarch, the kidnappers seized the phones of the hotel owner, Lucky Obaloju, and those of the other guests before tying their hands and leading them into the bush on foot.
“As it is now, the kidnappers have reduced the ransom to N70 million,” Oba Obajoye said. “When we requested a further reduction, they demanded that one of the hotelier’s vehicles be sold to pay the ransom. Eight persons remain in captivity, including a woman. The way the kidnappers spoke during negotiations suggests that the abduction may have involved insider knowledge.”
The monarch commended the Edo State Police Command and the state government for their efforts in tracking the kidnappers, adding that modern gadgets were deployed in the search, though the operation had not yet led to a rescue.
Reports indicate that one of the hotel guests sustained a gunshot injury while attempting to escape and is receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Oba Obajoye described the incident as a “very sad day” for the community and called for the safe release of the victims, emphasising the difficulty in raising the ransom while hoping that government and security agencies continue efforts to bring the abductees home safely.
