40-Day Fidau Prayers in Edo Community Abandoned Over Abduction of Guests
Plans to hold a 40-day Fidau prayer in Ivbiaro community, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2025, were abruptly abandoned following the abduction of a family of three by suspected kidnappers.
The victims, who were among seven persons kidnapped, had traveled from Kaduna State to attend the Islamic prayer session in honor of a late mother-in-law when they were intercepted by gunmen along the Auchi-Warrake Road en route the community.
The attack occurred near a notorious bad spot, just meters away from a security checkpoint manned by armed policemen.
Those abducted included a father, mother, their son, and four family friends. However, the driver of the vehicle managed to escape into the bush. It was gathered that the family had chartered the vehicle for the journey.
Sources say the kidnappers later released a woman and her two children, allegedly due to the children’s persistent crying. They also released the father, identified as Mallam Nezifi, along with his wife. However, their son and a female friend who was traveling with them remain in captivity.
The kidnappers are reportedly demanding a ransom of N10 million for the release of the remaining two hostages.
