Residents of Uromi and commuters along the Benin–Auchi Road are living in fear following the invasion of nearby forests by a gang of daredevil kidnappers who have made life unbearable for locals.
Investigations reveal that residents of Uromi, Ekpoma, and adjoining communities now live in perpetual anxiety, unsure of who the next victim might be due to the frequent attacks on helpless citizens.
The latest kidnapping incident involved Joseph Alatan, a banker in Uromi, and his colleague, Kehinde Adeeko.
The incident reportedly occurred on October 26, 2026, as the duo traveled toward Benin City from Uromi. Heavily armed men on motorbikes intercepted their vehicle midway through the journey and forced them into the forest.
Incidents of kidnapping for ransom and other violent crimes have become rife in Edo State, particularly in the forested corridors stretching from the outskirts of Benin City, the state capital, through the university town of Ekpoma, to Uromi, the administrative headquarters of the Esan North-East Local Government Area.
In August, a woman was murdered in Ekpoma and two students were kidnapped, triggering widespread protests by students of Ambrose Alli University.
The protest prompted a coordinated security operation to comb suspected hideouts of the criminal elements, resulting in the neutralization of two members of the kidnapping gang.
Meanwhile, the Police have assured residents and commuters of their commitment to ridding the state of kidnappers, warning perpetrators to leave the state or face arrest.
Speaking on the abduction of Joseph Alatan and his colleague, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Eno Ikoedem, stated that efforts are underway to rescue the victims.
However, the whereabouts of the victims remained unknown at the time of this report.
