Ten students on their way to attend the GYC Africa Conference at Babcock University have been freed by operatives of the Edo State Police Command after being abducted along the border between Edo and Ondo states.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the rescue of eight male and two female students, who were abducted on Wednesday.
According to Yamu, the operation involved tactical police units, the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), local hunters, and vigilantes who were swiftly mobilised from the Ohosu Division.
During the rescue operation, the team engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, resulting in the death of one assailant, while others fled with gunshot wounds.
Unfortunately, one police operative was injured in the process and is currently receiving treatment.
“This rescue effort eventually paid off as the ten (10) kidnapped students comprising eight (8) males and (2) females were released due to intense pressure mounted on them,” Yamu noted.
In a separate incident, the police apprehended two suspected armed robbers—25-year-old Binigolo Ebineme and 27-year-old Mathew Denwei—after receiving a distress alert from Malim Camp Gbelebu in the Ovia South-West Local Government Area.
“The suspects, found with a locally made pistol, two headlamps, and a stolen motorcycle, have been identified as those terrorising farmers and travellers in the area,” Yamu said.
He added that they have admitted to the crime and will be prosecuted upon conclusion of investigations.
Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, assured the public of the command’s unwavering dedication to ensuring safety and urged citizens to promptly report any unusual activity or persons to law enforcement authorities.