The family of twin teenagers abducted after their father was killed by suspected kidnappers in Edo State has disputed claims by the police that the victims were rescued by security operatives.
The twins, Emmanuel and Emmanuella Ilabeshi, both aged 16, were abducted on December 11, 2025, after gunmen attacked their family home at Kalabar Quarters, Afokpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area.
During the attack, the assailants reportedly killed their father, Andrew Ilabeshi, before whisking the twins into the bush.
A resident of the area said the gunmen gained entry into the house and switched off Ilabeshi’s generator. When he came out to check what happened, he was attacked with machetes and sustained severe injuries.
The source added that the attackers later abducted the twins, while their father later died from the injuries he sustained.
The kidnappers were said to have demanded a ransom of N100 million from the family.
While the Edo State Police Command had earlier claimed that the twins were rescued unhurt by a joint security team, the family has dismissed the account.
A brother of the deceased, Okhale Ilabeshi, said the children were released only after ransom was paid to the kidnappers.
“The twins were not rescued. We paid ransom to the kidnappers. Nobody rescued them,” Okhale said.
“The kidnappers kept calling us. After the ransom was paid, they told us where to go, and that was where we found the twins.”
He said the victims were weak and emotionally distressed after their ordeal, adding that they only learned of their father’s death after regaining freedom.
“They were kidnapped on December 11. When they were released, they were tired and exhausted. They were shocked and disappointed when they heard that their father had died,” he said.
“They knew their father was badly injured, but they did not know he was dead.”
Okhale also expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the community, calling for urgent government intervention.
“The community has tried to strengthen the vigilante group, but it is not enough. We need the help of the state and federal governments to stop these kidnappings,” he added.
The Edo State Police Command has yet to respond to the family’s latest claims as of the time of filing this report.
