Tension has engulfed the Ihunmudumu area of Ekpoma in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State following the abduction of three young men by armed gunmen on Monday evening. The victims, two of whom are students of Ambrose Alli University, were reportedly seized from their hostel and taken into the bush at about 6 pm, sparking widespread fear and uncertainty within the community.
Witnesses say the attack happened swiftly shortly after the occupants drove into their compound. Panic erupted when residents began shouting "kidnappers," alerting others to the sudden danger. One witness, identified as Ose Ojo, described the moment he realized armed men had invaded the premises. He said he had been about to open a backdoor when he heard chaos erupting behind him.
According to him, one of the attackers followed a student who had just driven in, while three other armed men stormed the compound. Ojo said the gunmen immediately seized his elder brother and another hostel resident at gunpoint. He narrowly escaped by jumping over the perimeter fence as the attackers moved deeper into the compound.
The abduction has left families devastated, with Mr. Ojo, the father of one of the victims, making an emotional appeal to the Edo State Government and security authorities. Calling for urgent intervention, he expressed deep anguish over the uncertainty surrounding his son's fate. He said he could not bear the thought of his child being taken away by unknown gunmen or harmed in captivity. This fear is now shared by many families in the area.
A local community source suggested that the incident may be connected to disputes over the sharing of proceeds from fraudulent activities, although this claim has not been verified by security agencies. Residents remain divided over the possible motives, with some insisting the kidnappers appeared organized and targeted, while others believe the attack was random.
As of the time of this report, the abductors have not communicated with the victims' families, and no ransom demands have been made. The silence has deepened anxiety across the community, where students, parents and business owners have been left on edge, unsure of what might happen next.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, said he had not yet received full details of the incident. He noted that the command was working to gather accurate information and would issue an update once official reports were compiled.
Meanwhile, residents have intensified calls for increased security presence in Ekpoma and its environs, noting that kidnapping incidents have become more frequent in recent years. Many fear that the abduction of students, once considered rare in the area, may mark an escalation in criminal activity.
As security personnel begin investigations and community members remain in a state of heightened tension, hopes rest on the safe rescue of the three abducted young men and the swift restoration of safety in the area.
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