A 12-year-old girl has reportedly been abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in Ayogwiri community of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
DAILY POST reports that the mother of the girl was, however, released by the abductors.
The report has it that the kidnappers are demanding the sum of N5 million as ransom from the family of the abductee, whose identity is yet to be identified as of press time.
The incident was said to have happened on Friday, October 20, 2025, when the victim, the mother, and other women were returning from the farm.
A source who spoke on condition of anonymity said the incident happened in the afternoon on the fateful day.
The source further said two women were injured during the abduction and are currently receiving treatment at the hospital, while the kidnappers took the young girl away.
He noted that vigilantes, hunters, and youths of the community have combed the bushes and forests in a rescue mission for the kidnapped girl.
A statement by the Ayogwiri Osiregbemeh Union, AOU, also confirmed the abduction and called on governments at all levels to enhance security measures to prevent further incidents.
The statement signed by the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Union, Vincent Ozemoya condemned the incident, and described it as an unfortunate and unacceptable development.
Ozemoya noted that the development has shattered the peace and accommodating spirit of the community which gave rise to strangers being allowed to live amicably in the area