Two brothers, Isaac and Victor Olayere, who were kidnapped on November 8 along the Adughe–Imoga Road in Edo State, have escaped from their captors.

The victims, who were taken into the bush shortly after the abduction, had thrown the Uma/Imoga community into distress after their abductors demanded a N22 million ransom.

The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, confirmed the development in a telephone interview. He said the brothers contacted their father through an unknown number, informing him that they had managed to escape.

Obajoye said he reported the incident to the Ibillo Police Station immediately after the abduction, with the hope that security operatives would assist in rescuing the victims.

According to him, the brothers escaped after the kidnappers allegedly fell into a deep sleep in the forest. They were later found by vigilantes in Adughe, a neighbouring community in Kogi State that shares linguistic and cultural ties with Uma/Imoga.

“The vigilantes called Imoga people, and the youth mobilised and entered the forest, but they could not find the kidnappers, who had fled after waking up to discover their captives had escaped,” he said.

The traditional ruler noted that kidnapping and armed herders’ activities have become major security concerns in the area and called for the establishment of a police post in Imoga.

“We need police presence in Imoga. If a police post is created here, officers will patrol the community and give residents peace of mind,” he said.

He added that Imoga is the largest village in Akoko Edo by land mass and serves as a link between Edo State and the northern part of the country, making it vulnerable to criminal activities.