Edo Special Court Sentences Four Kidnappers to Death Over Airport Road Vegetable Market Abduction.

Edo Special Court Sentences Four Kidnappers to Death Over Airport Road Vegetable Market Abduction.

The Edo State Special Criminal Court sitting in Benin City has sentenced four defendants to death following their conviction over the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.

The convicts are Marvellous Isaac, Wisdom Michael, Rufus Emete Michael and Gift Raphael. They had faced multiple charges connected to the June 14, 2026 abduction, including kidnapping, conspiracy, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

Justice Aigbona Terry Momodu delivered the judgment on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, marking the first reported judgment in a kidnapping case by the Edo State Special Criminal Court. The case had attracted attention because of the state’s effort to accelerate the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism related offences.

The incident occurred on June 14, when armed men reportedly intercepted the victim and her family at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road in broad daylight. Earlier reports on the case said the victim was taken away during the attack and was later released. Police investigations subsequently led to the arrest of the four defendants.

Court proceedings over the case began in July, with the prosecution presenting witnesses and documentary and physical evidence. Earlier reports by The Nation, Vanguard, The Eagle Online and other Nigerian outlets said exhibits admitted during the proceedings included a pump action firearm, a mobile phone and a Lexus SUV allegedly connected to the investigation.

The defendants had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. During the trial, prosecution witnesses included alleged victims and police investigators, while the defence was also allowed to present its case before judgment. The Nigerian Observer reported that one alleged victim testified about the circumstances surrounding the June 14 abduction, while other witnesses gave evidence concerning the investigation and alleged ransom payments.

The court’s judgment comes two months after the state government’s case was closed following testimony from seven prosecution witnesses. At that stage, Justice Momodu had adjourned proceedings to allow the defendants to open their defence, underscoring that the eventual verdict would be based on the evidence presented during the trial.

As part of the judgment, the court also ordered the confiscation of a JoJef pump-action firearm and four cartridges tendered as exhibits. The items are to be handed over to the Edo State Police Armourer for destruction within 30 days.

The Special Criminal Court was established in July 2026 amid the Edo State Government’s push for faster determination of kidnapping and cultism cases. Before the judgment, Tribune Online and BusinessDay reported that the court was scheduled to deliver its maiden kidnapping verdict on September 29.

The case has therefore become an early test of the specialized court’s stated purpose of reducing delays in the prosecution of violent crime cases. The verdict also brings the judicial phase of one of the high profile kidnapping investigations in Benin City closer to completion, subject to any available legal processes.