Benin City, Edo State – Tension gripped traders and residents around the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in Benin City on Sunday after CCTV footage reportedly captured the alleged abduction of an unidentified individual by armed men.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred earlier in the day when a group of unknown gunmen allegedly intercepted the victim in the busy market area. The suspects were said to have forcefully taken the individual away before fleeing the scene.
Footage from a nearby closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera, which has since circulated among residents and on social media, reportedly shows the moment the victim was surrounded and whisked away by the assailants. However, the identity of the victim and the motives behind the incident remain unclear as of the time of filing this report.
The development caused panic among traders and customers, many of whom expressed concern over the growing insecurity in the area. Some residents called on security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible and ensure the safe return of the victim.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Efforts to confirm details from the police were still ongoing at the time of publication.
The incident has sparked renewed concerns about public safety in Benin City, with residents urging law enforcement agencies to make use of the CCTV footage to identify and track down the suspected kidnappers.
Investigations are expected to commence as security operatives work to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged abduction.