Terror on the Way to Mourning: Gunmen Abduct Family and Friends on Auchi-Warrake Road, Disrupt Memorial Plans in Edo

 

The Ivbiaro community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State has been gripped by fear and uncertainty following a brazen abduction incident that unfolded just days before a scheduled religious memorial. A total of seven individuals—three members of a family and four others—were targeted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers while traveling from Kaduna to attend a 40-day fidau prayer in memory of a deceased mother-in-law.

Tragedy struck on Thursday, May 1, 2025, when the group, consisting of a father, mother, their son, and family friends, was intercepted at a notorious spot along the Auchi-Warrake road. The ambush occurred just a short distance from Ivbiaro, at a bad portion of the road situated worryingly close to a known security checkpoint. According to sources familiar with the incident, the victims had embarked on the journey in a chartered vehicle, hoping to reach the quiet rural town in time for the Saturday prayer session.

Chaos erupted when gunmen emerged from the bush, halting the vehicle and herding its occupants into the forest. The driver, acting swiftly and with presence of mind, managed to flee the scene, vanishing into the surrounding vegetation before the attackers could apprehend him.

Among the seven initial captives were a man known simply as Mallam Nezifi, his wife, their son, and four other individuals identified as close family friends. However, not all were held for long. A source from the community, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, recounted that one of the women in the group—traveling with her two young children—was released shortly after the abduction. According to the source, the relentless crying of her children prompted the kidnappers to abandon her, perhaps fearing the attention the noise might attract.

Although the mother and her children were let go, the ordeal for others was far from over. It was later confirmed that Mallam Nezifi and his wife were also released under unclear circumstances, leaving their son and a female companion still in the custody of the captors. Community members believe the kidnappers are holding the two as leverage, demanding a ransom of ten million naira for their safe release.

The harrowing incident has cast a long shadow over what was meant to be a solemn gathering. The 40-day fidau prayer, an important Islamic rite for the deceased, has since been thrown into disarray. Family members and community leaders have reportedly postponed the event indefinitely, as the safety of the remaining abductees takes precedence.

Residents of Ivbiaro are struggling to come to terms with the incident. Many describe a growing sense of helplessness and fear, noting that the abduction happened alarmingly close to a supposed point of safety—a checkpoint that, under ideal conditions, should have prevented such an event from taking place. Local voices are now calling for increased vigilance and a stronger security presence on rural highways, especially those like the Auchi-Warrake route that have gained a reputation for danger.

“The fact that this happened so close to a security post tells you everything you need to know,” the source lamented. “It’s no longer safe to travel—even for a religious event.”

Efforts to raise the ransom are already underway. Relatives of the victims are reportedly pooling resources and reaching out to contacts for financial support. While the kidnappers have made no further threats, the family remains desperate, knowing that delays in payment could result in prolonged captivity or worse.

Security agencies have yet to release an official statement on the matter, and it remains unclear whether any tactical response has been initiated. The silence from authorities has further frustrated community members, many of whom feel that their safety has been deprioritized.

This incident adds to a disturbing trend of kidnappings in rural and semi-urban areas across Nigeria, where armed groups exploit weak infrastructure and inadequate surveillance to carry out abductions with minimal resistance. The use of poorly maintained road sections as ambush points has become a hallmark of these criminal operations.

As the family grapples with the emotional and financial toll of the crisis, broader concerns loom. The disruption of the fidau prayer is not merely an interruption of a religious ceremony—it represents a rupture in the community’s ability to mourn, reflect, and heal. For the people of Ivbiaro, this tragedy is a painful reminder of the ongoing security challenges plaguing everyday life, even in moments of grief and remembrance.

Hope now lies in the swift and safe return of the abducted individuals, and in the possibility that this case will spark meaningful action from authorities charged with protecting the lives of citizens.