Edo: Police rescue 21-year-old student from kidnappers

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Edo: Police rescue 21-year-old student from kidnappers

The Edo State Police Command has rescued a 21-year-old student, Iyobo Ighodaro, who was allegedly abducted from his hostel by gunmen at Ugbowo in Ovia North-East Local Government Area.

It was reported that the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Moses Yamu, said the student was abducted on September 15, 2024, at 19th Street, Ugbowo, by two armed men.

Yamu said he was rescued by operatives of the Ugbowo Division following a distress call received from one Valentine Igbinevbo.

The Command’s image maker said that on the fateful day, Igbinevbo reported to the police that his silver-colored Mercedes Benz C350 car with registration number KWL 195 KC was snatched at gunpoint by two armed men and that his friend, Iyobo Ighodaro (21), was abducted in the car from his hostel.

He explained that, in a swift response, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station mobilized a surveillance team and traced the suspects to their hideout in Egor, where they were negotiating for ransom using the victim’s phone.

The Police Public Relations Officer, who said the victim was rescued unhurt, added that he has since reunited with his loved ones after receiving medical attention.

He, however, disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralized during a gun duel with the security operatives while one of them escaped with gunshot injuries.

According to him, on sighting the police, a gun battle ensued where one male suspect, whose identity is yet unknown, sustained fatal gunshot injuries and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“The corpse of the suspect was deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).

“His accomplice was believed to have narrowly escaped with gunshot injuries,” he said.

He listed items recovered from the suspects to include one cut-to-size gun, one live cartridge, a cutlass, and three phones of different makes.

Yamu said the commissioner in charge of the command, Nemi Iwo, who commended the operatives for their efforts in combating crime, warned all criminal elements in the state that their days are numbered if they continue in crime.