The Edo State Police Command announced on Friday that six kidnapped victims were successfully rescued during a series of operations in the state. Tragically, one civilian volunteer was killed in the process.
According to police spokesman Moses Yamu, the victims were freed from different locations on various days. On April 20, 2025, police operatives from the Igarra Area Command, Igueben Divisional Police Headquarters, and local vigilantes and hunters carried out a coordinated rescue operation, leading to the release of six victims.
Yamu reported that during the operation, vigilante Ijeh Moses tragically lost his life from a gunshot wound sustained in a shootout. Additionally, one victim was injured but is recovering in treatment. It is believed that some of the kidnappers managed to escape with gunshot wounds, as traces of blood were found along their escape route.
The victims had been abducted on different occasions: two were taken on April 19, 2025, along the Udoneria-Ewatto road, while four others were kidnapped on April 20, 2025, near Udoeguare Community. Another victim, who was abducted on April 19 along the Ugbekpe-Agenebode road, was rescued on April 21, 2025, in a joint operation involving the Agenebode Divisional Police, Operation Rescue Teams, and vigilantes.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, reiterated his commitment to tackling kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.