The Edo State Police Command says it has rescued 34 victims who were kidnapped along the Benin-Agbor Expressway on Friday.
It was gathered that the victims, said to be football players of Itugbe Kings Club in Delta state, were travelling from Agbor to Warri when they were abducted.
A statement on Sunday, the Deputy Police spokesperson, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, said the rescue operation was carried out in synergy with the Delta State Police Command, the military and the vigilantes.
According to the statement, “The Edo State Police Command, through its Urhonigbe Divisional Headquarters, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State, on 13/08/2022, rescued 34 kidnapped victims, 32 of them were mostly children, along the Benin-Agbor expressway.
“Following credible information received from members of the public that at about 18:06hrs of 12/08/2022, hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers, emerged from the bush along the Agbor/Uronigbe/Obiaruku Expressway and kidnapped occupants of a bus travelling from Agbor to Warri, with registration number DT513B2, conveying football players of Itugbe Kings Club, Warri, Delta state, and whisked them into the bush.
“On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer immediately mobilised his team of police operatives, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes and tactical team from Delta State Police Command at the state boundary, and swung into action.
“The combined team embarked on rigorous bush combing, which lasted for several hours, resulting in the rescue of 32 of the victims unhurt.
“While they were being profiled to ensure that all were rescued, it was discovered that five were still missing. Intense bush combing is ongoing to rescue the other five victims unhurt.
“Earlier, the hoodlums had attacked the two occupants of one Toyota Corolla car with registration number EDL642DL, travelling from Bayelsa to Agbor, one of the occupants, Ibegu Daguapu ‘M’ was shot in his right shoulder. The victim is receiving treatment at the medical facility.”
The Command while reiterating its commitment to secure lives and property, urged citizens to carry on with their lawful activities.
