Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A woman who visited the popular Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City, Edo State, on Sunday has reportedly been abducted by suspected gunmen.
According to a viral video circulating online, the woman was at the market with her husband and children when the armed men stormed the area in a commando-style operation.
In the ensuing chaos, her husband reportedly fled the scene, while the gunmen seized the woman and whisked her away to an unknown destination.
The incident has sparked concern among residents, with many calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure her release and bring the perpetrators to justice.
In another video sighted, a woman who claimed she witnessed the incident described the incident as kidnapping, stressing, “today, for the first time, I experience kidnapping in my life.”
“Who said kidnapping is not in Benin ? Kidnapping happened in my presence right at Airport Road, Vegetable Market. It has not happened to you does not mean it doesn’t exist.
“I saved the woman’s children today. This is me. It happened in front of me. We were both buying something in the same place, at the vegetable market. This is me, I have bruises. This is my legs”, she said.
Contacted, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident but said it was not kidnapping but abduction.
She said: “I’m aware there was an abduction incident in that area earlier today and we are already investigating the matter. The woman, her children and husband went to Vegetable Market to buy some things after the close of service when they abducted her.”
Asked what could have led to the abduction, Ikoedem said, “for now we cannot release any information regarding that to the public as investigation is still ongoing. But at the appropriate time we will let the public know. The husband, the family members are all cooperating with us in our investigation.”
Asked why she described the incident as abduction and not kidnapping, the PPRO insisted: “It is abduction and not kidnapping. Or have you heard if the abductors have contacted the family for ransom? Or if you have any information I do not have, kindly send it to me.”
