Operatives of the Edo State Police Command says it has arrested five suspected kidnappers and rescued three kidnap victims in two separate operations in different parts of the state.
A statement in Benin City, the spokesman of the state Command, SP. Kontongs Bello said the operatives of the command apprehended the suspects at their hideout in Udo Community Area of Iguobazuwa, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state.
According to Kontongs, the suspects are linked with the kidnapping case reported to the command on February 4, 2022.
“The Suspects are Mohammed Ali ‘M'(25), Abdullahi Umar ‘M’ (30), Bello Tambaya ‘M’ (24), Hassan Mohammad ‘M’ (24 ) and Adamu Bello ‘M’ (26). While one Babuga ‘M’ surname unknown, who is believed to be the principal Suspect is currently on the run”
“They are linked with the kidnapping case reported to the command on 04/02/2022 at about 1900hrs in the area.
“The suspects are already making useful information that will lead to the arrest of other gang members on the run. They will be arraigned in court accordingly as soon as investigation is concluded,” the statement added.
The Police spokesperson further revealed that the police in collaboration with the local vigilante rescued three people believed to have been kidnapped by hoodlums at Unomi Farm Land in Iddo Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of the State.
“On the 20/02/2022 at about 1200hrs, the Edo State Police Command, acting on credible information that hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers, bearing dangerous weapons, were sighted around Unomi Farm Land in Iddo Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, together with some persons believed to have been kidnapped,” he said.
“On receipt of the information the combined team of police operatives local and hunters led by the ever gallant Divisional Police Officer, Okpella Division, immediately mobilised to the location on a rescue mission and possible arrest of the suspects.
“On sighting the team of operatives approaching them, the hoodlums opened fire left, and left with no option, the team responded accordingly in an ensuing gun duel that lasted for about one hour.
“The suspected kidnappers, because of the superior firepower from the team of operatives, had to abandon their victims unhurt and escaped into the bush, with various degrees of bullet wounds,” Kontongs addded.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Philip Ogbadu has assured citizens of the state of safety, pledging to continue collaborating with relevant stakeholders towards a crime-free State.
