Edo Mother Begs for Help After Daughter’s ₦20m Kidnap

A desperate mother in Edo State has issued a heartbreaking public appeal for help after gunmen kidnapped her daughter and demanded a ₦20 million ransom. Wahab Aisha was abducted from Igbira Camp in Auchi last Saturday, triggering a family crisis as the kidnappers threaten to kill the young woman if their demands are not met. The emotional plea comes as the criminal gang issued a specific deadline for payment, putting immense pressure on the impoverished family.

The distraught mother made her appeal in a viral video that shows her speaking from a dilapidated mud house, highlighting the family’s extreme poverty. Her living conditions present a stark contrast to the enormous ransom demand that now determines her daughter’s fate. She revealed that the trauma has left her unable to eat or sleep since the abduction, consumed by fear for her daughter’s safety.

In the emotional footage, the weeping mother explained how the kidnappers initially demanded ₦30 million but reduced the amount to ₦20 million after repeated begging from the family. She specifically appealed to popular logistics manager Isreal DMW and compassionate Nigerians nationwide to assist in securing her daughter’s release. Her direct plea underscores the desperation of a family with limited resources and connections.

The mother described her precarious economic situation, explaining that she and Aisha sold leaves and vegetables together in the local market to survive. With her daughter now captive, she has lost both her primary companion and sole means of financial support. The abduction has not only created an emotional crisis but also an economic catastrophe for the already struggling family.

Aisha’s sister joined the appeal, calling on influential figures and charitable organizations to intervene in the crisis. She emphasized that the family lacks access to wealthy relatives or powerful connections, leaving them entirely dependent on public support to raise the ransom money. This additional plea highlights the family’s comprehensive vulnerability in the face of organized criminal activity.

As detailed in the complete version, there are several key factors to consider.

According to earlier reports, the kidnappers set a deadly ultimatum demanding full payment of the ₦20 million ransom by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The timeframe created additional pressure on the family and those attempting to assist them. The specific deadline indicates the calculated cruelty of the abduction scheme.

In a separate disturbing video that has circulated widely, Aisha appears under duress while begging for her life. The footage shows an armed man pointing a gun directly at her head and chest as she pleads for financial assistance from the public. Her captors have explicitly threatened to execute her if the ransom is not paid by their deadline.

The case highlights the ongoing security challenges in parts of Edo State, where kidnapping has become an increasingly common criminal enterprise. Local communities have expressed growing concern about safety in areas like Auchi, where residents feel vulnerable to such attacks. This incident represents the human cost of security breakdowns affecting ordinary citizens.

Security experts typically advise against paying ransoms, noting that it encourages further kidnappings. However, families often feel they have no alternative when facing immediate threats to their loved ones’ lives. This creates a painful dilemma for both relatives and authorities trying to resolve such crises.

The viral nature of the family’s appeal demonstrates how social media has become a tool for desperate families seeking assistance in kidnapping cases. While sometimes effective in generating support, this approach also reflects the limitations of formal security responses to such crimes. The digital pleas represent a modern solution to age-old security problems.

As the situation develops, the family continues to hope for a positive outcome despite the enormous challenges they face. The community has begun mobilizing support, though raising the substantial ransom remains daunting. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of kidnapping economics and its impact on vulnerable populations.