The Edo State Police Command has successfully rescued ten students kidnapped on their way to Babcock University for the Annual GYC Africa Conference,on April, 16, at a route bordering Edo and Ondo States.
Following a report of the abduction, the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, swiftly deployed officers from the Ohosu Division, supported by local vigilantes and hunters, to search the surrounding forest areas.
During the rescue operation, the police engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, leading to the neutralisation of one suspect, while others escaped with gunshot wounds while one police inspector sustained gunshot injuries during the operation and is currently receiving treatment.Both suspects however confessed to the crime and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.According to the police, the kidnappers used the students as human shields, forcing operatives to proceed with caution, and a sustained sustained pressure in the gun duel eventually led to the release of the ten kidnapped students, eight males and two females, without further casualties.
In a separate operation, the Command also arrested two armed robbery suspects, identified as Binigolo Ebimene, 25, and Mathew Denwei, 27, following a distress call from Malim Camp, Gbelebu community, in Ovia South-West Local Government Area, where they allegedly robbed a victim of his motorcycle and mobile phones.
Investigation revealed that the suspects had been terrorising farmers and commuters in the area, and were found in possession of a locally fabricated pistol, two headlamps, and the stolen motorcycle.