A secondary school student, Tope Oriloye, abducted by gunmen in Edo State’s Akoko Edo Local Government Area, has been released after her family paid a N2 million ransom, community sources and the police have confirmed.
Oriloye was kidnapped on February 8 alongside one Samuel Ilesanmi at a community health centre in Makeke, where Ilesanmi had taken his wife and sick child for treatment.
The kidnappers were said to have initially demanded N100 million for the release of the two victims before negotiations led to a reduced payment for the student’s freedom.
The National Coordinator of the Movement for the Advancement of Akoko Edo People, Bode Ekundayo, confirmed Oriloye’s release, expressing relief over her safe return while noting that Ilesanmi remains in captivity.
“We all give thanks to God for the safe arrival of Tope Oriloye back home last night after payment of N2 million. She is safe, healthy, and unharmed,” Ekundayo said.
“We are still awaiting the good news of the second victim. He is from Ososo,” he added.
The Edo State Police Command also confirmed the development.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the student had been released.
“I can confirm to you that Tope Oriloye has been released,” Ikoedem stated.
The incident is the latest in a series of kidnapping cases reported in Edo State in recent months, particularly in the northern part of the state.
On January 9, seven residents of Imoga were abducted at a hotel along the Imoga–Ibillo axis. The gunmen initially demanded N100 million, later reducing the ransom to N70 million and subsequently N40 million before releasing the victims on January 19.
Security agencies have continued to express concern over the rising spate of abductions and have pledged to intensify operations to rescue victims and dismantle criminal networks in the state.
