Kidnapped Edo twins were freed after ransom, not police rescue – Family

The family of twin teenagers abducted during an attack that claimed their father’s life has disputed claims by the Edo State Police Command that the victims were rescued by security operatives.

A brother of the deceased, Okhale Ilabeshi, spoke on the incident in an interview on Tuesday, insisting that the twins regained their freedom only after a ransom was paid to their abductors.

Gunmen believed to be kidnappers had invaded the home of Andrew Ilabeshi on December 11 at Kalabar Quarters, Afokpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

During the attack, the assailants allegedly forced their way into the residence and inflicted machete wounds on Ilabeshi before fleeing with his 16-year-old twins, Emmanuel and Emmanuella.

A resident of the community said the attackers first disconnected the victim’s generator, luring him outside when he went to investigate the sudden outage.

He was reportedly assaulted and left critically injured, while the assailants escaped into the bush with his children.

Ilabeshi later succumbed to his injuries.

According to family sources, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N100 million for the release of the twins.

Earlier, the Edo State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, had announced that the teenagers were rescued unharmed by a joint team of security operatives.

However, Ilabeshi rejected the account, stating that no rescue operation took place.

“The twins were not rescued. We paid the ransom demanded by the kidnappers. After payment, we were directed to a location where the children were eventually released,” he said.

He explained that the twins were physically exhausted and emotionally traumatised after their ordeal, adding that they only learned of their father’s death after regaining freedom.

“They knew their father had been badly injured, but they did not know he had died. The news devastated them,” he said.

Ilabeshi also expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area, noting that while the community had strengthened its local vigilante efforts, more support was needed.

“We need urgent intervention from the state and federal governments to address the rising cases of kidnapping,” he added.