Family Disputes Police Claim, Says Edo Twins Freed After Ransom

The family of twins abducted after their father was brutally attacked and later died on Tuesday has disputed the claim by the Edo State Police Command that the victims were rescued unhurt by security operatives.

Recall that the twins were kidnapped on December 11, 2025, after armed men stormed their family apartment at Kalabar Quarters, Afokpella, in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

During the attack, the assailants reportedly inflicted machete injuries on the twins’ father, Mr Andrew Ilabeshi, who later died from his injuries. The gunmen took the twins away and demanded a ransom of ₦100 million.

Speaking earlier, the Edo State Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Eno Ikoedem, claimed that the twins were rescued unhurt by a combined team of security operatives.

However, the family has strongly disputed the claim.

Speaking on the incident, the brother of the deceased, Mr Okhale Ilabeshi, said the twins were not rescued, but were released only after a substantial ransom was paid to the kidnappers.

“The twins were not rescued. We paid ransom to the kidnappers. Nobody rescued them,” Okhale said.

According to him, the abductors maintained constant communication with the family throughout the period of captivity.

“The kidnappers kept calling us. After the ransom was paid, they asked us to go to a particular place, and that was where we found the twins,” he explained.

Okhale said the twins were physically exhausted and emotionally traumatised after their release on December 26.

“They were tired and exhausted when they returned. They were also shocked and devastated when they later learnt that their father had died,” he said.

He added that while the twins were aware that their father had been badly injured during the attack, they were never informed that he had succumbed to his injuries while they were in captivity.

“They knew their father was injured, but they never knew he was dead until after their release,” he added.

The family also raised concerns about the worsening security situation in the community, calling for urgent intervention from the government.

“The community has been strengthening the vigilante group, but that is not enough. We need the assistance of both the state and federal governments to curb the rising cases of kidnapping,” Okhale said.