Police rescue three victims, including ASP from kidnappers in Edo

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have successfully rescued an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and two others from kidnappers . The victims, Elisha Jeremiah, an ASP attached to the FCID in Abuja, Oyedele Ebenezer of Ogbidi Road, Uromi, and Useni Malam Inusa, were abducted on Wednesday, January 29, while travelling from Abuja to Onitsha, Anambra State, in a Toyota Sienna bus.

The incident occurred on Okhuesan-Ewohimi Road at approximately 6:40 p.m. A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, revealed that officers from the Ubiaja Divisional Headquarters, in a joint operation with other tactical teams, quickly pursued the kidnappers. The State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Otimenyin, later deployed additional Police Mobile Force personnel to aid the rescue operation.

Yamu said that acting on intelligence, the operatives, with support from local hunters and vigilantes, mobilised to the Ugbebor area around 3:30 a.m. on the day of the operation. The kidnappers, realising the authorities were closing in, abandoned their victims and fled.

The rescued victims are currently receiving treatment and will soon be reunited with their families. In a related development, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, reassured the public that his administration will continue collaborating with security agencies to combat crime.

He made the statement during a meeting with Betty Enekpen Isokpen Otimenyin, the state’s new Commissioner of Police.

Okpebholo commended the Commissioner for her efforts and pledged his administration’s support in the fight against crime. He expressed confidence in Otimenyin’s ability to lead the police force, citing their long-standing relationship dating back to 1994 in Jos. The governor also highlighted the state’s commitment to improving security, acknowledging the recent provision of vehicles to support security agencies.

The CP, in turn, thanked the governor for the support and assured that the police would intensify efforts to tackle crime in Edo State.