Edo police rescue five kidnap victims, recover stolen vehicles

Five kidnap victims have been rescued by police officers attached to Edo state police command, who also arrested robbery suspects with stolen cars.

Spokesperson of the command, Kontongs Bello in a statement released on Thursday December 16, said both operations were carried on Wednesday evening at Ewohimi and Uromi.

Bello said;

“On the 15/12/2021 at about 15:00hrs operatives of Edo State Police Command attached to Ewohimi Division while on patrol led by the DPO CSP Gideon Azuonwu along Ubiaja-Ewohimi Road came across hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers who had intercepted a Sienna bus with Reg. No. RBC 407 ZN driven by one Oliseh Francis and travelling from Abuja to Asaba with eight commuters.

“The hoodlums on sighting the team of police operatives engaged them in a gun duel, the superior fire power of police operatives made the hoodlums to abandon five of the victims unhurt including the driver while they escaped with three passengers into the bush.

“Bush combing is ongoing with the aim of rescuing the three passengers and further arrest the hoodlums.”

Commenting on the arrest of the armed robbery suspects, the police spokesperson said;

“On the 15/12/2021 at about 00:15hrs the operatives of the Edo State Police Command acting on credible information that a Toyota Corolla with REG. NO. 456 BS belonging to a staff of People Worldwide Prayer Ministries, Illeh Ekpoma have been snatched by hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers.

“On the same date at about 00:00hrs another information was received that a highlander jeep with REG. NO. KWL 979 BH property of Ehikioya John of Ihumudumu quarters Ekpoma, was also snatched at gun point by hoodlums.

“On receipt of the information, the DPO Ekpoma division, CSP Bukoye Oyegbemi swung into action, mobilize team of police operatives and gave them a chase and further informed the neighbouring DPO’s with the aim of blocking all exit from Ekpoma and to enable them recover the vehicle and arrest the hoodlums.

“The prompt action of the DPO resulted in the recovery of the two vehicles while trying to drive out of Ekpoma and Akhere Akhigbe ‘M’ (22), Anthony Joseph ‘M’ (22), Oshowe Zakari ‘M’ (36) were arrested. Suspects have confessed to the crimes and still undergoing investigation with aim of arresting other gang members.”

The Commissioner of Police, Philip Ogbadu further thanked the public for prompt information which eventually led to the arrest of the criminals and recovery of the stolen vehicles. He also reinstated his commitment in ensuring the safety of all indigenes and residence of the state.