•Road accident claims 11 lives in Edo
Seven indigenes of Imoga Community in Akoko-Edo Local Council Area, who were abducted on January 9, 2026, have been released by the kidnappers.

The victims, who were abducted during their lodge at Star Boy Hotel on Imoga-Ibillo Road, were released on Monday after the payment of an undisclosed ransom, the Coordinator, Movement for the Advancement of Akoko-Edo People, Dr Bode Ekundayo, told journalists.

Ekundayo, who said the victims have been reunited with their families, added: “The victims have now been released after the payment of a huge ransom.”

Recall that on January 11, the gunmen demanded N100 million for the release of the victims. After negotiation, the ransom was reduced to N70 million and later to N40 million.

However, when asked how much was paid for the release of the victims, Ekundayo stated that he could not give the information. He also said that the eighth person who escaped during the kidnapping is also receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

“I can tell you that they have been reunited with their family after the community secured their release. It is a sad experience, and we hope that they will overcome the effect.”

He also said that the police have been informed about the release of their indigene, noting that the community is happy about the return of their brothers and sisters.

The royal father of Imoga, Oba Patrick Abudu, in a phone interview, said he met with the victims yesterday, adding that the community is in a jubilant mood. He disclosed that a large entourage went to receive them at the border of the community and Okene when the news of their release filtered into the town.

He said, “It is like we are having a special festival in the community. Everyone came out to rejoice, and I also met with them. A large entourage went to receive them and I have never seen such in the community.

“Despite the sad ordeal, people were united to ensure our indigenes were released. With unity, everything is achievable.”

When contacted, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the release of the residents.

Meanwhile, 11 persons died in a road accident that occurred at Okhuahe Community, on the Benin-Agbor road, in Ikpoba Okha Local Council Area of Edo State.

The Edo State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Cyril Mathew, confirmed this to newsmen yesterday in Benin City.

Mathew said seven people sustained various degrees of injury in the accident that happened last Saturday, January 17, 2026. According to him, the accident involved a truck and an 18-seater bus.

“The bus attempted to overtake another vehicle and, in the process, had a head-on collision with the oncoming vehicle, killing 11 persons on the spot,” he said.

He said the corpses of the deceased were evacuated to the morgue while the injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

An eyewitness account stated that the accident occurred when the driver of an 18-seater bus heading towards Lagos dangerously overtook another vehicle and had a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle.