The Edo State Special Criminal Court has sentenced four people to death over the kidnapping of a woman in Benin City.
Justice Aigbona Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the case involved the abduction at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road.
The court convicted Marvelous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael on several charges.
The charges included kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.
The Edo Vegetable Market kidnapping happened on June 14, 2026, the victim was reportedly at the market with her husband and children.
Gunmen reportedly arrived at the market and took the woman away. The incident later drew public attention after an eyewitness shared her account online.
“Today, for the first time, I witnessed someone being kidnapped.”
The witness continued, “Who said kidnapping is not in Benin? A kidnapping happened in my presence right at Airport Road by the Vegetable Market. Just because it has not happened to you does not mean it doesn’t exist.
“I saved the woman’s children today. This is me. It happened in front of me. We were both buying something in the same place, at the vegetable market. This is me; I have bruises. These are my legs.”
The incident was later confirmed by the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem.
The court imposed death sentences on the four convicts across several counts, they also received additional prison terms on other counts.
Isaac received seven years on one count and life imprisonment on another, the other defendants also received seven-year terms on one count.
The court also ordered the confiscation of the firearms and ammunition tendered as exhibits.
The items are to be handed to the Edo State Police for destruction.
The Edo Vegetable Market kidnapping became the first kidnapping case to reach judgment before the newly established special court.
