Ekpoma — Residents of Isibhelua Quarters in the Ihumudumu area of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State, were thrown into panic on Monday evening after three boys were reportedly abducted from a student hostel and taken into the bush.

According to on-the-ground reports, the incident occurred at about 6:00pm on Monday, December 1, 2025, when suspected armed men stormed a hostel in the Ihumudumu/Isibhelua neighbourhood and took three young men away at gunpoint. Eyewitnesses said the attackers moved quickly and vanished into nearby bushland before neighbours or passersby could mount an effective response. ITV+1

A visit to the scene by local reporters on Tuesday showed that the hostel compound has been largely abandoned: other occupants fled overnight and neighbours remain on edge, fearful of further attacks. Several residents told reporters they heard gunshots and the shouts of victims during the raid, and that families are now scrambling for information about the fate of the abducted youths. ITV+1

As at the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Edo State Police Command confirming the number of abductees or providing details of any rescue operation. Local social media posts and community leaders, however, say security agencies have been alerted and that residents are urging swift action to locate and free the boys. instagram.com+1

Family members and fellow students have appealed to the state government, security agencies and community vigilante groups to intensify search-and-rescue efforts. “We are desperate — these are our children and they must be brought back safely,” one relative told a reporter, asking for anonymity as negotiations and intelligence work are still ongoing. Community volunteers say they have been combing nearby bush paths and checking common bandit routes, but access and safety remain major concerns. Facebook+1

Kidnapping for ransom and violent abductions have grown into a persistent security problem across parts of the country, and incidents targeting students and youth have in recent years prompted national outcry. Local residents say Ekpoma — despite being a university town with many students from Ambrose Alli University and other institutions — has experienced lapses in community policing and infrastructure that make some neighbourhoods vulnerable after dark. Community leaders are now calling for increased patrols, better lighting and more rapid communication between schools, hostels and security agencies. Facebook+1

What we know (summary)

• Where: Isibhelua Quarters, Ihumudumu area, Ekpoma, Esan West LGA, Edo State. ITV

• When: Monday evening, December 1, 2025 (reports indicate around 6pm). youtube.com+1

• Who: Three boys who were resident in a local hostel; identified in local reports and eyewitness accounts but not yet publicly named. ITV+1

• Status: Taken into nearby bush by suspected armed kidnappers; rescue efforts reportedly underway but no official police confirmation issued at time of reporting. ITV+1

Edolens360 has reached out to the Edo State Police Command and local authorities for comment and will publish any official statements as soon as they are available.

Community response and safety measures
In the immediate aftermath, students and hostel owners have been advised to restrict movement after dusk, increase vigilance and report suspicious activity to local security agencies. Some hostels temporarily closed or relocated occupants pending clearer assurances of safety. Community leaders say they plan to meet with local police and university officials to agree emergency protocols and better coordination in the days ahead. ITV+1

If you have information
Anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the abducted boys is urged to contact the nearest police station, the Edo State police emergency lines, or the local community leaders in Ekpoma. For the safety of the families and ongoing operations, please avoid sharing unverified footage or details that could compromise rescue efforts.

Edolens360 will continue to follow this developing story and update readers with verified information as it becomes available.

Sources: ITV Radiong on-the-ground report; social media eyewitness videos and posts from Ekpoma residents and local community pages. Facebook+4ITV+4youtube.com+4

— Edolens360 newsroom