Suspected gunmen have abducted eight people, including a woman, from a hotel in Imoga, Edo State, and are demanding a ransom of N100 million for their release.
The incident reportedly occurred late on Friday night at Star Boy Hotel, located along the Imoga Ibillo Road.
The victims, who are all indigenes of Imoga Kingdom, were said to have travelled to Ibillo to attend a social function and decided to lodge at the hotel overnight.
Confirming the incident in a telephone interview on Monday, the Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, said the kidnappers stormed the hotel disguised as military personnel, a move that made both guests and staff believe they were security operatives.
According to the monarch, the gunmen ordered drinks on arrival and pretended they were waiting for someone before suddenly launching the attack.
“They later accosted the hotel owner, collected his two mobile phones and also seized the phones of others. Their hands were tied and they were forced to trek into the bush,” Oba Obajoye said.
He disclosed that the abductors initially demanded N100 million as ransom but later reduced the amount to N70 million after negotiations with the families of the victims.
“As it stands now, eight of our people, including one woman, are still with the kidnappers,” the monarch said.
Oba Obajoye added that the kidnappers allegedly insisted that one of the vehicles belonging to the hotel owner should be sold to raise part of the ransom, a development that has further worsened the situation for the affected families.
He described the incident as a painful experience for the community, noting that raising such a huge amount of money would be extremely difficult.
“It is a very sad moment for us. These are young men and a woman with promising futures who only went to rest after attending a social function,” he said.
The monarch also expressed suspicion that the operation might have involved insiders, judging by the way the kidnappers spoke during ransom negotiations.
He, however, commended the Edo State Police Command and the state government for their response, saying security operatives had made efforts to track the abductors using modern technology, although the attempt was unsuccessful.
“We are hopeful that the rescue efforts will continue until our people return home safely,” he said.
It was further gathered that one person sustained a gunshot injury while attempting to escape during the attack and is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said he would respond at a later time, as of the filing of this report.
