A 22-year-old woman, Aisha Wahab, from Auchi in Edo State, has regained her freedom two weeks after she was abducted. Reports on social media, corroborated by a key source, indicate that a ransom of ₦20 million was paid to secure her release.
Human rights activist and founder of the Behind Bars Human Rights Foundation, Harrison Gwamnishu, confirmed the development on Saturday through an Instagram post. He alleged that efforts to collaborate with security agencies and the Edo State Government during the rescue operation were ignored.
According to Gwamnishu, Aisha was kidnapped at Igbira Camp, Auchi, and released in Okpella, both in Edo State — a distance she was allegedly forced to trek with her abductors. He said the team could not move in to arrest the suspects due to a lack of cooperation from relevant authorities.
In response to an enquiry, Gwamnishu disclosed that he personally contributed ₦5 million to the ₦15 million raised by others to facilitate Aisha’s release. He explained that technical equipment necessary for the rescue operation required government authorization, which was not granted despite repeated attempts to obtain it.
He added that the Foundation has now returned to its operational base in another state where it enjoys full collaboration from the Police, Military, and Government. Gwamnishu called for urgent government intervention and improved coordination among security agencies to tackle the growing menace of kidnapping.
He also appreciated Nigerians who supported Aisha’s family during the ordeal and urged stronger partnerships between citizens, volunteers, and security agencies to enhance public safety.
Kidnapping continues to pose a major security threat in Edo State and other parts of Nigeria, with calls mounting for improved synergy among stakeholders to protect vulnerable communities.
