Police Rescue Two Victims Of Kidnapping, Arrest Eight Suspects In Edo Forest Raids

by Idahosa Musa

Edo State Police Command said it has recorded major operational breakthroughs after rescuing two victims of kidnapping and arresting eight suspected kidnappers during coordinated security operations across parts of the state.

The Command also said five suspects were arrested over the alleged vandalism of a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) petroleum pipeline in Edo Central Senatorial District.

In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Enom Ikoedem, disclosed that the suspected kidnappers were apprehended during an intensive bush-combing exercise in the Idoha/Ewu forests.

Those arrested, according to the police, include Jokoro Sali (52), Buhari Ibrahim (32), Isah Abubakar (35), Shehu Ibrahim (25), Abdullahi Samar (18), Ibrahim Shaibu (19), Mohammed Joro (22) and Suleiman Sunana (35).

ASP Ikoedem said the operation, carried out in line with the directives of the Commissioner of Police, involved command tactical teams, the drone unit, Edo State Security Corps, hunters and local vigilantes.

She explained that three tents believed to be kidnappers’ camps were discovered during the operation, leading to the arrest of the suspects, while five mobile phones suspected to belong to kidnapped victims were recovered.

According to her, “Targeted intelligence, swift response and coordinated bush-combing operations have continued to yield positive results for the Edo State Police Command, particularly in Esan West and Owan West local government areas.”

On a separate operation, the police said a distress call was received on January 29 from Egoro Amende community in Ekpoma, reporting the abduction of a farmer, Abraham Udewa, and his two wives, Brinda Abraham and Anna Abraham, all from Benue State.

She said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ekpoma Division immediately led a joint rescue team comprising police operatives, soldiers, Edo State Security Corps, local vigilantes, hunters and community youths under the Community Safety Partnership programme.

The statement added that intensive searches were conducted across Egoro Amende Forest, Igbira Farm Settlement and Ekeke Erah Forest in Owan West Local Government Area.

“On sighting the advancing security operatives, the kidnappers abandoned the victims and fled,” the police said, adding that the victims were rescued unhurt”, the statement said

Items recovered at the scene included cutlasses, a solar panel, torchlight, canvas, rope, palm oil and a face cap. Follow-up operation, the police said, are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects”, the statement said

Meanwhile, the Command also confirmed the arrest of five suspects over the alleged vandalism of an NNPC pipeline at Uhiele Community, Ekpoma, following credible intelligence received on January 26.

Those arrested were identified as Omoregie Osayi, Mathias Okhae, John Akheoumukhan, Akhabue Smart and Godday Abumere.

An excavator allegedly used to damage the pipeline was recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other suspects who reportedly escaped and to recover pipes already carted away.

The Edo State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance public safety across the state.