THE Edo State Police Command has rescued ten students who were abducted on their way to Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, for the annual Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC), Africa conference.
The students were kidnapped on April 16 at a location along the Edo-Ondo state border.
In a separate operation, police also rescued two women who were abducted after gunmen shot and fatally wounded the husband of one of the victims at Oluoke in Etsako West Local Government Area, Edo North Senatorial District.
The man was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead by a doctor on duty.
Confirming the rescue of the students, the Police Public Relations Officer in Edo State, CSP Moses Yamu, said in a statement: “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.”
“During the operation, operatives engaged in a gun duel with the kidnappers. In the process, one of the kidnappers was neutralised (killed), while others escaped with bullet wounds. The operatives were cautious to avoid collateral damage, as the kidnappers used the victims as human shield. Unfortunately, an Inspector of Police sustained gunshot injury and is currently responding to treatment.
“This rescue efforts eventually paid off, as the ten kidnapped students comprising eight males and females were released due to intense pressure mounted on them.”
Yamu disclosed that two suspects: Binigolo Ebimene, 25, and Mathew Denwei, 27, were also arrested following a distress call that they robbed their victim of his motorcycle and his phones at Malim Camp, Gbelebu in Ovia Southwest LGA of Edo state.
Preliminary investigation, according to the PPRO, revealed that the two suspects, who were arrested with a locally-fabricated pistol, two headlamps and the motorcycle earlier robbed, had been terrorising farmers and commuters in the axis, while the suspects confessed to the crime, and would be charged to court as soon as investigation was concluded.
Edo commissioner of police warned all miscreants in the state that there would be no hiding place for them, while declaring that the criminals should either repent, relocate from his area of responsibility, or face the consequences.
He urged Edo residents to shun crime and report suspicious persons, movements or objects to the police.
On the two rescued women, Yamu stated in a press statement on Sunday morning that the case was reported at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Iyamho in Etsako West LGA of Edo.
The PPRO disclosed that in a swift response, the DPO, anti-kidnapping team stationed at Edo North, and operation rescue team, in company with vigilance members and hunters mobilised, and went after the kidnappers, in order to rescue the victims and arrest the kidnappers.
The resilience and determination of the operatives, according to Yamu, led to the rescue of the two women: Esther Friday, 32, and Joy Iregbeyen, 23, whom the kidnappers abandoned and ran away, because of the mounting pressure by the security teams.
The PPRO noted that quite unfortunately, the kidnappers shot one of the women on the foot out of frustration, but she is currently responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital, with Edo commissioner of police working asidiously on strategies that would cub further crime and deter criminals.
