By Simeon OSAJIE
Families of the ten New Edo Line passengers abducted along the Benin-Ore road on November 3, 2026, including an NYSC member en route to orientation camp, have urgently appealed to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo for intervention.
Speaking to newsmen in Benin, Mrs. Winifred Okonofua, whose daughter is among the hostages, recounted in an interview with The9JaTREND that she last spoke with her daughter at approximately 4:00p.m. near Ore before a stranger answered the phone around 8:00p.m. to confirm the kidnapping.
Mrs. Okonofua stated, “When I called my daughter again at about 8.00pm, a woman said I thought I spoke with you earlier. The owner of this phone has been kidnapped. I am an officer, I can’t remember her name,” she said.
Mrs. Okonofua added that she made contact with the management of the New Edo Line, who promised her that the government is doing everything possible to ensure that the victims are released unhurt.
When asked if the kidnappers have made their demand, she said yes, that the kidnappers first requested for N20 million for each victim and later reduced to N10 million.
The distraught mother disclosed that her daughter called and said, “Mommy, please help me call everybody. Tell everybody we are kidnapped.”
All efforts made by The9JaTREND to get Edo State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer (PRO), ASP Eno Nkereuwem Ikoedem was unsuccessful as she picked and declined comment as at the time of filing in this report.