A Ward 1 Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, Mr. Okasime Olowojoba, has been abducted by suspected kidnappers along the Auchi–Benin–Ibillo Road.
Chronicle NG gathered that Mr. Olowojoba, who is also a real estate agent, was kidnapped on Saturday while traveling from Auchi to Igarra, the local government headquarters.
He had visited Auchi to bring his children and wife home ahead of the resumption of school activities on Monday, April 28, 2025. The abduction reportedly occurred at a notorious bad spot within Sasaro community, an area with a reputation for violent kidnappings.
A source, who preferred anonymity, disclosed,
“Valentine Okasime Olowojoba is the Ward 1 Chairman of the Labour Party, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. He went to Auchi to collect his children and wife, who had been there for the holidays.”
The source further explained, “He went to bring his children back for school resumption on Monday. On their way back that Saturday, he was kidnapped, and it happened on a day when the network in the area was completely down until Sunday.”
According to the source, all the occupants of the vehicle, including his wife, children, and house help, were initially abducted but were later released by the kidnappers, who went away with Mr. Olowojoba. His vehicle was left abandoned on the road.
The source added, “There was no network that Saturday; it was only restored around 12 pm on Sunday, and I learned from his brother that as of Monday (today), they are demanding a ransom of N50 million.”
“I also learned that some other people were kidnapped in the same area on Sunday.”
As of the time of this report, the Edo State Police Command has yet to officially confirm the incident.
