Gunmen Abduct Labour Party Ward Chairman in Edo, Demand N50 Million Ransom

Edo State, Nigeria — Tension has gripped parts of Edo State following the abduction of a Labour Party (LP) ward chairman by unidentified gunmen.

The victim, whose name has not been officially released, was reportedly kidnapped late Tuesday evening near his residence in the outskirts of Benin City. Witnesses say the attackers, heavily armed and masked, ambushed him as he was returning home from a party meeting.

Shortly after the abduction, the kidnappers established contact with the victim’s family, demanding a ransom of N50 million for his release. According to family sources, the kidnappers warned against involving security agencies, threatening dire consequences if their instructions were not followed.

Local party leaders have condemned the incident, calling it a "cowardly act" aimed at intimidating political actors ahead of the 2025 elections. "This is not just an attack on an individual but on democracy itself," a senior Labour Party official stated during a press briefing.

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction and says investigations are ongoing. "We are fully aware of the situation and are working with relevant security units to ensure the safe rescue of the victim," said the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor.

This latest incident adds to growing concerns over the surge in political violence and insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in states gearing up for intense election campaigns.

As of the time of this report, the Labour Party has called for calm among its members and urged the security agencies to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to justice.