A 12-year-old girl has reportedly been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers at the Ayogwiri community in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
DAILY POST gathered that the mother of the victim was, however, released by the abductors.
The suspected kidnappers are said to be demanding the sum of N5 million ransom from the family of the abductee whose identity is yet to be identified as of press time.
The incident was said to have happened on Friday, October 20, 2025, when the victim, the mother and other women were returning from the farm.
According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the incident happened in the afternoon on the fateful day and two women were injured during the abduction.
He said the women are currently receiving treatment at the hospital, while the kidnappers took the young girl away.
He also added that youths, vigilantes and hunters of the community have combed the bushes and forests in a rescue mission for the kidnapped girl.
The community, however, called on governments at all levels to enhance security measures to prevent further incidents.
A statement by the Ayogwiri Osiregbemeh Union, AOU, also confirmed the abduction.
The statement signed by the chairman, Board of Trustees of the Union, Vincent Ozemoya condemned the incident, and described it as an unfortunate and unacceptable development.
Ozemoya noted that the development has shattered the peace and accommodating spirit of the community which gave rise to strangers being allowed to live amicably in the community.
“We received with grave concern the attack of some women from Ayogwiri and their daughter who were returning from their Farms on Friday, October 20, 2025. In the process, our daughter was abducted by the marauders while our women were brutally assaulted.
“The BoT calls on all relevant security agencies in the area to rise up and rid our farms and forest of evil elements by the herdsmen or kidnappers.
“Our farmers must feel safe and free to cultivate and provide food for their families without molestation and intimidation whatsoever.Our internal security architecture should wake up and take back our land and farms.
“We must deal with this situation decisively. We acknowledged and commend all necessary actions being taken to rescue our daughter unhurt.
“I therefore urge our people to remain calm but vigilant as the appropriate authorities do the needful” he said.
