Benin: a 14-year-old child kidnapped during a burglary, the kidnappers demand 15 million FCFA

The night of June 30, 2025, was traumatic for a family living in Malanville, in the north of Benin. Around 2 to 3 in the morning, bandits armed with pistols broke into the family home while everyone was sleeping. According to testimonies published by the victim’s sister, Frida Amadou, the mother, the only one present in the house that night, was threatened with death and forced to disclose the valuable items to the assailants.

The bandits searched the rooms, stole objects, and kidnapped the youngest of the children, a boy only 14 years old. Before leaving, they gave the mother a phone number for the child’s father, who was absent from the home at the time. “They locked the door behind them and left with my little brother and mom’s phone,” explained Farida Amadou, the victim’s sister.

A complaint filed

A complaint was immediately filed with the local police, who opened an investigation. The search is still ongoing. The next morning, the father tried to reach the kidnappers at the number left by the bandits, but the calls did not go through.

Only the kidnappers manage to call and they demanded a ransom of 20 million CFA francs, before offering 15 million as an alternative.

“When the police or anyone tries to call the number, it doesn’t go through or they don’t pick up. Only they manage to call when they want to,” Farida Amadou clarified, still holding on to the hope that her little brother will be found safe and sound.

For now, the child remains missing despite the efforts made by the republican police.