After leaving church on June 14, 34-year-old Mrs Precious Oseghale visited Benin City’s Airport Road Vegetable Market.
By midday, Oseghale was accosted by unknown assailants, blindfolded, forced into a waiting vehicle, and driven into the bush. After three days in captivity, her family paid a ransom to secure her release on June 17.
The abduction in broad daylight, inside a market where mothers buy tomatoes and yams, became a tipping point for Edo.
Within weeks, the Edo Government, the Judiciary, the Department of State Services (DSS), the police, civil society groups, local councils, and the Oba of Benin Palace moved in a coordinated push to reclaim the streets from kidnappers, cultists, and bandits.
Witnesses said the abductors operated with speed and precision while her husband, Mr Oseghale, narrowly escaped with their two children.
Mr Oseghale later identified one female suspect he saw during ransom collection near Brother Pius School on Akenzua Road, Benin.
The news spread fast. Traders locked stalls. For days the market that feeds half of Benin’s GRA axis looked deserted.
“If they kidnapped someone inside the market, where are we safe?” a trader asked.
The Edo House of Assembly captured the mood on June 15.
Speaker Blessing Agbebaku condemned the “security breach” by “marauders” and urged vigilance.
“Watch your surroundings; check side mirrors; avoid late nights; and report suspicious persons to Police, DSS and other agencies.
“Community vigilance is critical,” he said.
Mrs Maria Deko, representing Esan North II and Chair of the House Committee on Security, called on security agencies to “get to the root of the matter so residents will not live in apprehension.”
Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s administration moved quickly.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Dr Patrick Ebojele, the governor condemned the kidnap as “unacceptable and a direct attack on innocent residents.”
He directed the Commissioner of Police to commence a swift investigation and secure the victim’s rescue.
“The government will not tolerate any act that threatens public safety,” he said.
On June 18, Okpebholo appeared at the Police Command in Edo for the parade of suspects.
“We are going to set up a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists.
“Within two weeks, the court will conclude proceedings; I will sign your execution warrant.
“We will take you to Ring Road roundabout so Edo people can watch. I will have no regrets.”
He said one suspect was arrested, one was neutralised, while two were at large.
“They will have no peace in Edo; you will be arrested; we are working day and night to make this land safe.”
To motivate the operatives, he presented N10 million to the police team and implored residents to “steer clear of criminal activity.
“It is cheaper to live within one’s means than to gamble your life on crime,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the Anti-Kidnapping Unit was trailing the gang.
On June 18, Commissioner of Police Mr Monday Agbonika confirmed ongoing investigations to track the remaining members.
He said items recovered from the arrested suspect included a red Lexus RX 350, EKP 848 AE, a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, a motorcycle, and cash suspected to be proceeds of crime.
Agbonika thanked the governor and IGP Olatunji Disu, and reaffirmed commitment to protecting lives and property.
It is worth noting that the first institutional response was the activation of Special Criminal Court in Benin.
On June 26, Chief Registrar Benson Osawaru announced the establishment of a special court to expedite trials for cultism and kidnapping, which was constituted at the governor’s request.
On July 17, four suspects were arraigned before Justice Terry Momodu and they pleaded not guilty to an 11-count charge of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and unlawful possession of firearms.
Solicitor General Stephen Okoror led prosecution with five witnesses.
Mrs Oseghale testified via adopted statement.
Three other victims described earlier abductions by the same gang.
Blessing Nosa said she was kidnapped March 8 at Oreoghene Street, off Siluko Road.
The prosecution also alleged the defendants kidnapped Lawan Alex on March 26 at Ekehuan Road, and robbed Idehen Paul of his Lexus 350 on April 23 before collecting ransom.
The Attorney General and the Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Roland Otaru, also called the two Investigating Police Officers, Insp. Udeme Otite and Insp. Jimoh Oisaikhoba, to testify before prosecution formally closed its case.
Oisaikhoba, in his testimony, explained how statements were obtained from the defendants during the investigation and tendered several exhibits, including a Lexus Jeep allegedly recovered from the first defendant.
He alleged that the vehicle belonged to one of the kidnapped victims and that the first defendant had changed its number plate and repainted it from grey to red.
Momodu subsequently adjourned the continuation of the hearing to allow defendants to open defence.
To aid operations, Egor LGA Chairman, Mr Osaro Eribo, donated 12 motorcycles on July 14 to the Police, Ugbowo Division, and Edo Security Corps.
“Egor will not be a safe haven for kidnappers, bandits, or cultists. These motorcycles will help operatives monitor security more effectively,” he said.
Days after court proceedings began, a coalition of CSOs staged a solidarity protest in Benin carrying placards with the inscriptions: “Say No to Cultism,” “Kidnapping is Not Business,” “If You See Something, Say Something.”
The convener, Dr Bright Oniovokukor, said the fight must be collective.
On June 23, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, summoned native doctors and priests to explore traditional means to complement government’s efforts, per a statement by Victor Nosakhare on behalf of the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor.
On June 24, the Oba met youth leaders, “Okaigheles.”
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the Oba announced a grassroots security network across Edo South’s seven LGAs.
He charged the Okaigheles to set up 5 to 10 member advisory committees and develop strategies anchored on the traditional neighborhood watch.
“We do not want you to fight or kill people. We want our people safe,” the Oba said.
He said the committees would report to Coordinator Emmanuel Iyase, Okao N’Oreguae.
The traditional ruler warned against abuse, oppression or indiscriminate land sales.
In a symbolic rite, the Ewaise Palace Group led priests in pouring libations and invoking ancestors against violent crimes.
Osemwonta Iguezigbon and Chief Priest Clement Edegbe said the exercise was necessary because “a lot of kidnappings” had occurred.
Isaac Ogiemwense, Oyeoba of Benin, said the aim was to fortify the land traditionally.
Osaigbovo Osamwonyi, Akenuwa of Benin, urged youth leaders to search for fearless men of integrity who know their terrain.
“We won’t cede any portion of Edo land,” he declared.
Back at Airport Road, life is slowly returning but traders remain watchful. With patrols increased and vehicles donated to Police, there is cautious optimism.
Mr Oseghale, now a court witness, advocates community intelligence.
“If we all provide information, criminals will have nowhere to hide,” he said.
Observers say the June 14 kidnap was not Edo’s first but its location, a public market in the capital, and the speed of response made it different.
From the courtroom to the market, and from the palace to the streets, Edo is fighting back.
For Mrs Oseghale and thousands of market women, the question is whether citizens will sustain the momentum so that the Airport Road Vegetable Market returns to being just a market, not a headline.
(NANFeatures)
