New Update on January 2 Egbe-Oke-Ere Road kidnapping incident, Victim escapes from abductors, Injured Monarch’s wife hospitalized, discharged
Driver still lying unconscious in hospital ICU
Family seeks financial support
By Ralph Agbana
New updates has emerged on the cases of rubbery and kidnapping, which occurred along Egbe-Oke-Ere road on January 2nd, 2025.
Recalled that the incident involved three persons, including the wife of the Elesia of Esia, a 3rd class Oba, Mrs Edward Ilesanmi. She was one of two occupants in satchet water sales vehicle, together with the driver of the vehicle, Femi Bello, popularly known as “Femi Oyi”.
The third victim, Ekundayo Aremu, is a commercial motorcyclist who arrived at the spot unsuspecting that what was going on was road robbery.
An eyewitness account revealed that on the fateful day, Mrs Ilesanmi who trades in satchet water was on her way from Oke-Ere on a routine business trip to neighbouring Egbe when their attackers, suspected to be Fulani bandits, armed with dangerous weapons including guns and matchets, emerged from the bushes, shot at the windscreen of the bus thereby forcing the driver to bring the vehicle to a panicky halt. In the process, the ocuuoants were ordered to surrender their processions, even as they relapsed from the severe Injuries suffered from the matchet cuts inflicted on them by the criminals. Arriving at the spot, the unsuspecting Okada rider, having recognised the bus and the occupants and thinking the bus might have encountered some mechanical fault, decided to pull over to offer assistance. Meanwhile, as soon as the criminals sighted the approaching motorcyclist, they quickly withdrew to their trenches, watched as Ekundayo walked to the bus. However, before Ekundayo could understand what’s happening, the criminals jumped out from the bushes, grabbed him, and took him with them into the bushes, leaving the injured occupants of the vehicle to their fate.
Good news: after spending two days in the kidnappers’ den, Ekundayo, in a display of courage, bravery, and mother luck, outsmarted and was able to escape from his abductors. He has since returned home to the embrace of his loved ones. Pictures of him returning home from the kidnappers den showed he appeared with part of the untied ropes clogged to his wrists by his abductors.
According to a community leader, “The injured Mrs Ilesanmi and the driver of the bus were taken to the hospital. However, while Mrs Ilesanmi was hospitalized and is now discharged, I want to bring to our notice that, as at today, January 16th, Femi Oyi, the driver of the vehicle who was attacked on the spot during the incident is still lying unconscious in the intensive care unit of ECWA Hospital, Egbe. Although friends and family members have spent a lot, due to the extent to which the damage was done, much money is still required. On this note, we are soliciting for financial aid from every good-hearted member of Yagba community to help us to inform others to join us in donating towards rescuing his dear life. His wife’s account number:
2144343441 UBA. Helen Monlomo Bello. May God bless you in return as you donate in Jesus’ name”.
