A woman shopping at the well-known Vegetable Market located off Airport Road in Benin City was abducted on Sunday.
The victim was reportedly at the market with her husband and children when gunmen arrived at the scene and took her away.
A video currently circulating online features an eyewitness who claimed to have seen the event firsthand. Describing the moment, the witness stated:“Today, for the first time, I witnessed someone being kidnapped.”
The witness added: “Who said kidnapping is not happening in Benin? A kidnapping happened in my presence right at the Vegetable Market on Airport Road. Just because it has not happened to you does not mean it doesn’t exist.”
Detailing the chaos during the incident, the witness noted: “I saved the woman’s children today. This is me. It happened right in front of me. We were both buying things at the same place, the Vegetable Market. I have bruises. Look at my legs.”
The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the incident when contacted. “I’m aware there was an abduction incident in that area earlier today, and we are already investigating the matter. The woman, her husband and their children had gone to the Vegetable Market to buy some items after church service when she was abducted,” Ikoedem said.
Regarding the motive behind the attack, the police spokesperson stated, “For now, we cannot release any information regarding that to the public as investigations are still ongoing. At the appropriate time, we will let the public know. The husband and other family members are cooperating with us in our investigation.”
While eyewitnesses have labeled the event a kidnapping, CSP Ikoedem drew a distinction, insisting, “It is an abduction and not a kidnapping. Have the abductors contacted the family to demand a ransom? Or do you have any information that I do not have? If so, kindly share it with me.”
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