Victims of an alleged kidnapping syndicate operating around a popular vegetable market in Benin City have told an Edo State Special Criminal Court that they paid more than N63 million in ransom to secure their freedom.
The witnesses testified during the ongoing trial of four suspects facing an 11-count charge bordering on alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms. The accused Marvelous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael all pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution, led by the Edo State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Stephen Okoror, called five witnesses as it opened its case before Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu.
One of the victims, Mrs. Precious Oseghale, recounted how she was abducted on June 14, 2026, after attending church with her family. She told the court that armed men blocked their vehicle at a vegetable market along Airport Road, shot one of the tyres and attempted to kidnap both her and her husband before he escaped. She said the attackers forced her into their vehicle and took her into a forest, where she remained until a ransom was paid. She also alleged that the kidnappers stole jewellery worth more than N15 million.
Her husband corroborated her testimony, while another witness, Paul Idehen, identified the suspects as the men who abducted him from his wife’s pharmacy in Benin City. He told the court that his family paid N5.5 million in ransom and that the gang also stole his wedding ring and Lexus RX 350 SUV, which he said was later repainted and fitted with a different registration number before being recovered by security operatives.
Another victim testified that he was kidnapped along Ekehuan Road on May 26, 2026, while returning from work. He said his family paid N12.47 million to secure his release and alleged that the suspects also took N35,000 in cash, his mobile phone and car keys.
An elderly woman also told the court that she was abducted from her home on Siluko Road in March 2025. According to her, she paid N25 million to the kidnappers and an additional N5 million to another gang to whom she claimed she was later handed over before regaining her freedom.
All the victims identified the four defendants in court as their alleged abductors. They were subsequently cross-examined by defence counsel, Amechi Onwuzor.
The suspects were arrested following investigations into the abduction of a woman at a vegetable market in Benin City, an incident that prompted Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to establish a special court to handle kidnapping and cult-related cases.
Justice Momodu adjourned the case until July 21, 2026, for the continuation of hearing.
