The Edo State Police Command has successfully rescued no fewer than 16 kidnapped victims during a series of coordinated security operations conducted across the state.
According to a statement released by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, the rescue missions were carried out in collaboration with local vigilante groups and hunters along the busy Benin–Lagos and Benin–Akure highways.
The victims, primarily travellers, were abducted on the evening of August 23, 2025, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., when armed men blocked sections of the highways.
Upon receiving distress calls, the police command promptly mobilised its security assets to initiate a rescue response. Operatives from the Iguobazuwa and Ekiadolor Divisions, supported by tactical teams and local partners, conducted intensive bush-combing operations to track the kidnappers and secure the release of the captives.
One of the rescued victims had sustained a gunshot injury during the abduction and was initially helped by concerned citizens before being taken to a hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, personally led a segment of the operation along the Benin–Akure axis. The command also employed advanced technology, including drone surveillance, which proved critical in enhancing the precision and effectiveness of the rescue efforts.
In total, six victims were freed along the Benin–Akure highway, three were rescued on the Benin–Lagos route, and an additional seven individuals abducted on the Benin–Akure road were safely recovered on the evening of August 25.
The operation underscores the command’s continued commitment to combating kidnapping and ensuring the safety of residents and travellers within the state.
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cc: Daily Trust NG
