The Edo State Police Command has successfully rescued ten students and two women from kidnappers in separate operations that took place in different parts of the state.
The students were taken on April 16 while traveling to attend the Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC), Africa conference at Babcock University in Ogun State. They were abducted near the border between Edo and Ondo states. Their journey turned into a nightmare after heavily armed men intercepted their vehicle and dragged them into the bush.
In a separate incident, two women were kidnapped in Etsako West Local Government Area. Gunmen attacked the family at Oluoke, shooting the husband of one of the women. He was taken to a hospital but was later confirmed dead.
Confirming the two operations, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, acted swiftly. According to Yamu, tactical teams were sent out immediately, including officers from Ohosu Division, the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and local vigilante groups and hunters.
“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, immediately deployed operatives from the Ohosu Division, the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), tactical squads, local vigilante members, and hunters into the bush to rescue the victims and apprehend the suspects,” Yamu said.
He further noted that there was an intense gun battle between the police and the kidnappers. One of the kidnappers was killed, while others escaped with gunshot wounds. Despite the danger, the police managed to avoid harming the victims, who were being used as human shields. Unfortunately, one police inspector was injured but is now receiving treatment.
After days of pressure, the kidnappers gave up and released all ten students, who included both males and females. They were rescued safely.
In a separate arrest, police captured two suspects—Binigolo Ebimene and Mathew Denwei—in Ovia Southwest. The duo had earlier robbed a man of his motorcycle and phones. Police found them with a locally made gun and other items. They have confessed and will be charged in court soon.
As for the two kidnapped women, Esther Friday and Joy Iregbeyen, the police launched a rescue mission after the case was reported to the Iyamho division. Teams from the anti-kidnapping unit, vigilante members, and local hunters worked together to track the criminals. Due to the heat from security forces, the kidnappers abandoned the women and fled.
One of the women was shot in the foot by the fleeing criminals, but she is currently receiving treatment and is in stable condition.
