Please Pay Attention: If you’re reading on PHOENIX, Kindly click the “Read Original” button at the top right to view the full article.
According to a report by Daily Post, on Saturday, June 24, 2026, Paul Idehen, one of the victims of the kidnapping gang that recently attacked the vegetable market along Airport Road in Benin City, recounted the traumatic experience he endured while being held captive by his abductors.
Idehen shared his account while speaking with DAILY POST during the parade of 32-year-old Marvelous Isaac, one of the suspects arrested over the abduction of a woman at the vegetable market in Benin City.
The suspect was presented to the public by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, at the State Police Command headquarters in Benin City.
The parade was witnessed by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, alongside other security officials as several suspects linked to different criminal activities were displayed.
Narrating how the incident unfolded, Idehen disclosed that he was kidnapped on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from his wife’s pharmacy located opposite Ekehuan Army Barracks.
According to him, he eventually regained his freedom on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, after spending five difficult days in the kidnappers’ custody.
He explained that the armed men invaded the pharmacy around 9 p.m. while he and his family were preparing to close for the day.
The attackers fired several gunshots outside the shop before forcefully taking him away in the presence of his wife and children.
Recalling the frightening moment, Idehen said he immediately sensed danger after seeing one of the gunmen wearing a red mask enter the pharmacy.
Although he briefly considered escaping, he abandoned the idea because his wife and children were beside him, fearing they could be harmed if he attempted to flee.
He further identified the suspect paraded by the police as the individual who reached into his trouser pocket, removed his car keys, and immediately took control of his vehicle.
According to Idehen, the gang forced him into the back seat of his car, pinned him down, and placed a knife against his neck while warning that they would slit his throat if he made any attempt to resist or cause trouble.
He said he was driven away from the pharmacy in full view of his family. After travelling for some time, the kidnappers stopped at a location where they remained for about 30 minutes, apparently to monitor the surroundings and ensure there was no security presence or anyone following them.
He Said, “What baffled me most was that there was a woman among the kidnappers. She was very hostile to me.”
Idehen added that the female member of the gang repeatedly questioned why the others were not physically assaulting him.
However, one of the kidnappers assigned to guard him reportedly told her that he had remained calm and cooperative throughout the ordeal and had done nothing to deserve such treatment.
Speaking further, he revealed that he was the only captive at the kidnappers’ hideout throughout the period of his detention.
Although the gang provided him with food, he described the conditions as harsh, saying he was left exposed to the scorching sun and heavy rainfall during the five days he spent in captivity.
He noted that while he was slapped only four times, the psychological and physical discomfort he experienced was severe.
On the issue of ransom, Idehen disclosed that the kidnappers became furious after he initially informed them that he had only N800,000 in his bank account.
Angered by his response, they slapped him and insisted that such an amount was far below their expectations.
