Edo Police Rescue 12-Year-Old Girl, Foil Kidnap Attempt

The Edo State Police Command has rescued kidnapped victims in two separate operations, killed one suspect, and foiled an abduction attempt in the state.

In a statement by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, on Monday, the police said the operations were executed in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters.

According to Yamu, on October 14, operatives of the Jattu Division rescued 12-year-old Blessing Anani who was abducted from Ayogwiri Community, Uzairue, in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The police said that its operatives trailed a family member, Sunday Idornigie, who was forced to deliver ransom to the kidnappers around the Agenebode axis.

According to the statement, “upon arrival, one of the suspects viciously attacked the family member with a machete.

“As operatives advanced to rescue him, the kidnappers opened fire, prompting an exchange of gunfire.”

The police said, although gang fled during the gun battle, Anani was rescued unhurt, while Idornigie, who sustained machete injuries was taken to hospital for treatment.

Also, one of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange and was confirmed dead at Favor Hospital, Afashio.

His body was subsequently deposited in the morgue even as the investigations to continue to track down other fleeing members of the gang.

In another operation on October 17, the Command said it foiled an attempted abduction along the Igarra–Ibillo highway.

The police noted that its operatives had responded to a distress call about suspected kidnappers on the route in the Igarra area of the state.

“The hoodlums engaged the team in gunfire but were overpowered and forced to flee into the bush, abandoning their intended victims traders returning from Ibillo Market,” the police said.

The command revealed that all the victims were rescued unharmed, while bush combing operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika whole commending the officers’, urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support the police through credible information.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Together, we can rid our communities of criminal elements,” he stated.