Tragedy in Edo: Gunmen K!ll Woman, Abduct Husband in Owan East Community

 

A peaceful Sunday evening in Ubuneke-Ivbiaro, a quiet rural community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, was shattered by a terrifying act of violence. According to multiple eyewitness accounts and local sources, gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded the village on the night of May 18, 2025, killing a woman and abducting her elderly husband in a chilling attack that has left residents traumatized and demanding immediate government intervention.

How the Attack Unfolded: A Shocking Night of Violence

The gunmen, believed to have emerged from the dense Ivbiaro-Auchi-Ikpeshi forest route, struck the community at approximately 8 p.m., an hour when many residents were preparing for bed. The assailants headed straight to the residence of Mr. Arimazoya Abona, a man in his seventies, and his wife, whose name was not immediately disclosed by the authorities.

Eyewitnesses described how the peace of the night was pierced by the sounds of multiple gunshots. In the chaos, the woman was shot in the neck at close range—an execution-style killing that showed the ruthlessness of the attackers. Her body was later discovered in a pool of blood just outside the family’s home.

“They didn’t even try to hide. They just came straight to their house and fired shots. We rushed out when we heard the sound, but it was already too late,” one resident told NaijaRush.

After killing the woman, the gunmen forcibly dragged Mr. Abona into the forest, likely heading back through the thick bush paths that connect the community to the vast and largely unguarded Auchi-Ikpeshi forest. Despite immediate efforts by local youths to chase after the kidnappers and rescue the elderly man, they were unsuccessful due to the darkness and the attackers' familiarity with the terrain.

Fear and Frustration: Community Reacts to Police Delay

Perhaps even more disturbing than the act itself is the alleged delay in the response from the Nigeria Police Force. Residents stated that they quickly alerted the Afuze Divisional Headquarters as soon as the incident occurred. However, help did not arrive until around 8 a.m. the following morning—a full 12 hours after the attack.

By then, the kidnappers had long vanished into the forest with their victim, and the woman’s body remained at the scene, a painful reminder of the horror that had just occurred.

“The response from security agencies was just too slow. We called and waited all night. It was only in the morning that the police and some soldiers came,” a visibly angry youth told NaijaRush.

When the police officers finally arrived, they were accompanied by Nigerian Army personnel, who helped cordon off the area. The woman’s lifeless body was transported to a nearby mortuary, and investigations were said to have commenced.

A Cry for Help: Traditional Ruler and Locals Demand Action

The incident has once again highlighted the growing issue of insecurity in rural parts of Edo State and across Nigeria. Speaking on the tragedy, Chief Isah Umoru Osikhekhai, the traditional head of Ivbiokhulotor, a neighbouring community, condemned the attack in strong terms.

“This is both barbaric and deeply alarming,” he said during an emotional address to journalists and community members.

Chief Osikhekhai explained that insecurity has gradually robbed residents of their livelihoods, particularly farmers who now live in fear of venturing into their farmlands. The tragic timing of the attack could not be worse—coming just at the start of the planting season.

“Our people can no longer go to the farm. They are scared for their lives. This will affect our food supply and create a bigger crisis. Food security is now under serious threat,” he warned.

Calling for urgent government intervention, the traditional ruler appealed to the Edo State Government, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, as well as federal and state lawmakers representing the Owan constituencies, to come to the aid of the people.

“We are helpless. We need help before these gunmen kill us all,” Chief Osikhekhai added, his voice trembling with emotion.

Security Crisis in Edo State: An Escalating Trend

This latest attack is not an isolated incident. Across Edo State, especially in rural local government areas such as Owan East, Owan West, Etsako, and Akoko-Edo, communities have experienced a sharp rise in kidnappings, killings, and armed robbery—many of which are linked to criminal gangs operating from nearby forests.

The Auchi-Ikpeshi-Ivbiaro forest corridor has become a notorious hideout for these armed elements. The dense vegetation, lack of patrol roads, and weak surveillance make it easy for attackers to strike quickly and retreat into hiding before law enforcement can respond.

Security analysts have repeatedly warned that without increased intelligence gathering, drone surveillance, and community policing, the situation could spiral out of control.

What Can Be Done? Solutions for Safer Communities

Residents of Ubuneke-Ivbiaro and neighbouring communities are now calling for:

• The immediate deployment of mobile police units and military patrols to forest regions where criminal activities are known to occur.

• The establishment of local vigilante groups, trained and supported by the government, to work in synergy with formal security agencies.

• Investment in technology-driven security infrastructure, such as drones and forest surveillance systems.

• Speedier response times by the police and emergency services, especially in rural areas.

Additionally, many community leaders are pushing for the decentralization of Nigeria’s police structure, which they argue would allow state and local governments more control in protecting their people.

Conclusion: A Community in Mourning, A Nation in Crisis

The people of Ubuneke-Ivbiaro are now living in fear. A woman is dead. Her husband remains in the hands of ruthless kidnappers. A community is grieving. And a nation, once again, is confronted by the harsh realities of its fragile security architecture.

Until the government, security agencies, and community stakeholders come together to find long-term solutions, rural Nigerians like those in Owan East will continue to suffer in silence.

“We are helpless. We need help before these gunmen kill us all.” – Chief Isah Umoru Osikhekhai

His words are not just a cry for help—they are a dire warning.