The Edo State Police Command has rescued six people who were kidnapped in different parts of the state. Sadly, one civilian vigilante lost his life during the rescue operation.
This was made known in a statement on Friday, April 25, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu.
According to Yamu, the victims were rescued in separate operations carried out by police officers, local vigilantes, and hunters. The rescue missions happened on April 20 and April 21 in areas including Igarra, Igueben, and Agenebode.
The statement read, “On 20/04/2025, operatives of the Igarra Area Command, Igueben Divisional Police Headquarters, Operation Rescue Teams, with the help of vigilantes and hunters, rescued six kidnapped victims in a brave and well-coordinated operation.”
Yamu added that one vigilante, Ijeh Moses, was shot during a gunfight with the kidnappers and later died from the injury. One of the rescued victims also sustained injuries but is said to be recovering well.
“Some of the kidnappers escaped with gunshot wounds as bloodstains were seen along their escape path,” Yamu added.
He explained that two of the victims were kidnapped on April 19 at about 6:30 p.m. along the Udoneria-Ewatto road, while four others were taken on April 20 on the road leading to Udoeguare Community.
In another operation on April 21, police officers from the Agenebode Division, alongside vigilantes and hunters, rescued one person who was kidnapped earlier along the Ugbekpe-Agenebode road.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, praised the efforts of the rescue teams and promised that the command would continue to fight against kidnapping and other crimes in the state.
“We remain committed to the safety of our people. These criminal elements will not be allowed to operate freely in Edo State,” he said.
