Abducted Brothers Escape as Kidnappers Doze Off in the Forest

• Two abducted brothers in Edo State have escaped captivity after their kidnappers reportedly fell asleep in the forest.

Two brothers, Isaac and Victor Olayere, who were kidnapped along the Adughe-Imoga Road in Edo State on November 8, have regained their freedom after reportedly escaping from their captors when the kidnappers fell asleep in the forest.

The victims were abducted in Uma/Imoga community, Akoko Edo Local Government Area, and their abductors initially demanded a ₦22 million ransom, throwing the ancient town into confusion.

Their father later received a call from an unknown number—reportedly from one of the brothers—informing him that they had managed to escape.

Confirming the development, the Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, said during a phone interview that the brothers were found by local vigilantes in Adughe, a neighbouring Kogi community that shares the same Okpameri language as Imoga.

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“The kidnappers reportedly went into a deep sleep, and the brothers used the opportunity to escape,” the monarch said.

“They were rescued by vigilantes who later alerted the youth of Imoga, but the kidnappers had fled before they could be apprehended.”

The monarch called on authorities to establish a police post in the area, citing increasing cases of kidnapping and security threats along the Edo–Kogi–Ondo borders.

He noted, “Imoga is the largest village in Akoko Edo by landmass and a major link between Edo and the North. We urgently need police presence to restore peace and confidence.”

Despite Governor Monday Okpebholo’s ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity through improved logistics and surveillance, Edo has continued to witness recurring kidnapping incidents in recent months.