Three young boys, including two students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, have been abducted by gunmen in the Ihunmudumu area of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. The incident, which occurred on Monday, December 1, 2025, at around 6 pm, has thrown the local community into panic and fear.
According to local sources, the victims were kidnapped from their hostel and taken into nearby bushes by the armed assailants. Eyewitnesses described a terrifying scene during the abduction, which has left residents anxious about their safety.
One source, who identified himself as a relative of one of the victims, recounted the ordeal. He said his brother and two others were kidnapped at gunpoint while driving into their hostel compound.
“As I was about to enter the compound to open the backdoor for a generator repairer, I just heard boys in the compound shouting ‘kidnappers’. As I turned my head due to the shouting, I saw one of the gunmen with a gun following one of the occupants that had just driven inside the compound. Before I knew what was happening, I saw about three other armed men. They kidnapped my senior brother and another occupant in the hostel. So I had to jump the fence of the hostel to escape,” he said.
The traumatic account highlights the growing fear in the community, as residents worry that such violent incidents could become more frequent without prompt security intervention.
The father of one of the victims, Mr. Ojo, appealed to the Edo State government and relevant security agencies to act swiftly in rescuing his son and the other abducted youths.
“I cannot bear the pain of having my son taken away by kidnappers to an unknown destination or killed,” Mr. Ojo lamented. His words reflect the despair of many parents in Edo State, where kidnapping for ransom has become a growing concern.
While no ransom demands have been made so far, families fear that delays in action could endanger the lives of the victims. Experts warn that prompt response is crucial to prevent kidnappers from moving their victims to remote locations or using them as leverage for criminal activities.
Community sources have suggested that the abduction may be linked to a fallout over the sharing formula of proceeds from fraud. While such claims have not been verified by authorities, they indicate that financial disputes among criminals can often escalate into violent acts affecting innocent students and residents.
Edo State, like many parts of southern Nigeria, has witnessed a surge in criminal activities, including armed robbery and kidnapping, in recent years. Students and residents in university towns have increasingly been targeted, raising concerns about the safety of academic institutions and surrounding communities.
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, said he had not yet received official details of the incident. The police have not confirmed whether any investigation or search operations have commenced, leaving families worried about the safety of the kidnapped students.
The abduction has heightened fear among residents of Ihunmudumu and neighboring communities. Students, particularly those living in hostels and off-campus accommodation, are reportedly anxious about their safety. Local sources indicate that residents have begun taking precautionary measures, including increased vigilance and avoiding movement after dark.
Community leaders have called on the Edo State government to deploy more security personnel to Ekpoma and surrounding areas. They emphasized the need for proactive policing, intelligence gathering, and rapid response to prevent further attacks.
Kidnapping has become an increasing security challenge in Edo State over the past few years. Both students and working-class residents have been targeted by criminal gangs seeking ransom. Authorities have periodically launched security operations to combat these threats, but experts say more sustained efforts are needed.
Educational institutions, particularly universities, are vulnerable due to their dense populations and the presence of students often unfamiliar with local security risks. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, has previously been affected by security challenges, prompting calls for improved policing and community-based safety initiatives.
As families await news of the victims’ safe return, there is a growing demand for urgent action by law enforcement and state authorities. Residents and parents have stressed the need for coordinated operations, involving police, vigilante groups, and local intelligence networks, to locate the kidnapped students before any harm is done.
