Family appeals to IGP over threats, daughter’s abduction

The family of Martins Unishemi has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene over what they describe as persistent threats, harassment and attacks allegedly targeting members of their household in Benin City, Edo State.

Mrs. Unishemi Onyinyechi Lilian said the family has been living in fear since returning to Nigeria from Canada after a vacation on May 9 last year. She alleged that unidentified individuals have repeatedly threatened the family and plotted to kidnap their children, adding that the situation has worsened amid continuing insecurity.

According to her, the threats facing the family date back to a land dispute involving her husband before he relocated to the United States. She alleged that after he purchased a large parcel of land in Benin City, a dispute arose over possession of the property.

Mrs. Unishemi claimed that a traditional chief, who is also a politician, prevented her husband from taking possession of the land and allegedly threatened him with violence if he attempted to do so.

She said her husband subsequently sought the assistance of a retired military officer, who reportedly facilitated the arrest of a community leader in connection with the dispute. Despite this intervention, she alleged that the threats persisted and the land dispute remains unresolved.

According to Unishemi, although her husband later relocated to the United States, the family continued to receive threats in Nigeria. She further alleged that her husband had previously survived separate attacks by armed men while he was employed by Vitafoam Nigeria Plc and Guinness Nigeria Plc.

Unishemi also disclosed that their 12-year-old daughter, Divine Eseoghene Unishemi, was allegedly abducted on May 24, 2025, while running an errand.

According to a petition addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5, Benin,  Unishemi left home for work that morning while her daughter went on an errand. When she returned home at about 4 p.m., she discovered that the child was missing.

She said that as she was preparing to report the incident to the police, a woman brought the girl home, explaining that she had found Divine after she was allegedly pushed out of a moving vehicle by unidentified men.

The woman reportedly told the family that she found the visibly distressed child by the roadside, questioned her, obtained her home address and escorted her home. She explained that she was scheduled to travel out of the country and therefore could not accompany the family to the police station.

Unishemi said her daughter later recounted that two men told her they intended to take her to Delta State. According to the mother, the men questioned the girl about her father and, after learning that he is a pastor, allegedly abandoned their plan and pushed her out of the moving vehicle before driving away.

She said the incident has left the family traumatised and living in constant fear.

In her petition, Unishemi urged the police to conduct a thorough investigation, expressing concern that the alleged attempted abduction may have been connected to the earlier threats arising from the unresolved land dispute. She alleged that because her husband now resides abroad, other members of the family have continued to face intimidation and now fear for their lives.

She further alleged that despite reporting the incident and previous threats to the police, the intimidation has continued.

“I am appealing to the Inspector-General of Police to use every lawful means available to identify those behind these threats and ensure the safety of my family,” she said. “We are afraid, and our safety cannot be guaranteed because those threatening us have vowed to wipe us out.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not publicly responded to the family’s allegations. Efforts to obtain official comments from the police regarding the family’s petition were unsuccessful.

With the incessant kidnapping of Children that is ongoing in Nigeria presently, I am more disturbed because my Children are still young,she added