Edo twins freed after ransom payment as family disputes police rescue claim

The family of twin teenagers abducted in Edo State after their father was killed by suspected kidnappers has refuted claims by the police that the victims were rescued by security operatives.

The twins’ uncle, Okhale Ilabeshi, said the family paid a substantial ransom to secure the release of the victims, contrary to statements by the Edo State Police Command that the children were rescued unharmed.

Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Ilabeshi explained that the twins, Emmanuel and Emmanuella, both 16, were abducted on December 11 after gunmen invaded their father’s home at Kalabar Quarters, Afokpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area.

During the attack, the assailants reportedly switched off the generator powering the house. When the children’s father, Andrew Ilabeshi, stepped out to check the outage, he was attacked with machetes and sustained severe injuries. He later died from the wounds, while the attackers fled with the twins.

Residents said the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N100 million for the release of the children.

Following their eventual release, police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem announced that the twins had been rescued by a joint team of security operatives. However, the family has challenged this account.

“The twins were not rescued. We paid ransom to the kidnappers,” Ilabeshi said. “They kept calling us, and after the payment was made, they directed us to a location where the children were found.”

He added that the twins were exhausted when they regained freedom and were devastated after learning that their father had died. According to him, they were aware he had been seriously injured but did not know he had succumbed to his injuries while they were in captivity.

Ilabeshi also expressed concern over the rising cases of kidnapping in the area, noting that although the community had strengthened its local vigilante groups, the efforts had not been sufficient.

“We need the support of the state and federal governments to effectively tackle kidnapping,” he said.