Gunmen invade Edo shop, whisk away woman

A woman who went shopping on Sunday at the popular Vegetable Market, off Airport Road in Benin City, has reportedly been abducted.

The woman was at the market with her children and husband when gunmen reportedly came to the scene and whisked her away.

In a video online, a woman who claimed to have witnessed the incident described it as kidnapping, stressing, “Today, for the first time, I witnessed someone being kidnapped.”

She continued, “Who said kidnapping is not in Benin? A kidnapping happened in my presence right at Airport Road by the Vegetable Market. Just because it has not happened to you does not mean it doesn’t exist.

“I saved the woman’s children today. This is me. It happened in front of me. We were both buying something in the same place, at the vegetable market. This is me; I have bruises. These are my legs.”

Contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident.

She said, “I’m aware there was an abduction incident in that area earlier today, and we are already investigating the matter. The woman, her children and husband went to the vegetable market to buy some things after the close of service when she was abducted.”

Asked what could have led to the abduction, Ikoedem said, “For now, we cannot release any information regarding that to the public, as the investigation is still ongoing.

But at the appropriate time, we will let the public know. The husband and other family members are all cooperating with us in our investigation.”

Asked why she described the incident as abduction and not kidnapping, the PPRO insisted: “It is abduction and not kidnapping. Or have you heard if the abductors have contacted the family for ransom? Or if you have any information I do not have, kindly send it to me.”