A kidnapped couple from Aviele community, near Auchi in Edo State, has issued a desperate plea for help after their abductors threatened to sexually violate the pregnant wife unless a ransom of N50 million is paid.
In a distressing video circulating online on Thursday, the husband—visibly traumatised, covered in dirt, and surrounded by dense forest—appealed to the government, security agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians to urgently intervene.
“Please, we are begging for help. My wife is pregnant, and they are threatening to violate her. Our family can only raise N7 million out of the N50 million ransom. We need assistance,” he said emotionally in the viral footage.
Another man, who identified himself as the victim’s brother, disclosed further details about the abduction. According to him, the couple were kidnapped between 7pm and 8pm on Wednesday while returning home.
“He was coming back from town when they took him and his wife. Someone at home saw Fulani men taking them into the bush. By the time we got to the scene, they were already gone. These are their footprints,” he said while pointing to tracks on the forest floor.
Civic technology platform MonITNG has raised the alarm over the incident, expressing deep concern over the growing pattern of kidnappings across Edo State. The group warned that residents “can no longer sleep with both eyes closed,” as forest corridors and major roads have increasingly become unsafe.
“This is becoming a frightening pattern across our communities. Our forests, farmlands, and major roads have become unsafe, giving room for criminal elements hiding under the guise of herdsmen to terrorize innocent people,” the group said, urging Governor Monday Okpebholo to deploy immediate security reinforcements.
MonITNG also appealed to the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, DSS, and other security agencies to mount urgent operations to rescue the victims and restore safety in the region.
Human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu confirmed on Thursday that the kidnappers had sent another video to the family, repeating their demand for N50 million ransom.
Residents and community leaders are calling on both state and federal authorities to take swift action as kidnappings continue to escalate across the state.
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