Abductors' Deep Sleep Aids Escape of Edo Kidnap Victims

Eleven individuals who were abducted from their farmlands within Edo State's Estako West Local Government Area have successfully regained their freedom, reportedly taking advantage of their kidnappers falling asleep. The victims recounted that their captors dozed off after forcing them to trek through the bush all night.

Speaking at the Edo State Police Command headquarters on Friday, Braimah Destiny, who represented the group, detailed his ordeal. He explained that he encountered six armed men wielding guns and cutlasses while returning from his farm. Braimah stated that these men abducted him along with ten others, leading them deep into the forest. He recalled hearing police gunshots as they were being marched through the bush.

“I was coming from the farm when I met six of them armed with guns and machetes. They also captured others making 11 victims. They took us from one bush to another. It was around six p.m and we heard the police shooting. They made us walk throughout the night. We got to a place and they told us to hide. They were very tired and they slept off,” Braimah narrated. He added, “That was how we ran to the police. The kidnappers beat us and maltreated us.”

Another victim, Gloria Inyanugbo, managed to identify her abductors. She revealed that she endured four days in the kidnappers' den before her husband paid a ransom of N3 million for her release, in addition to N300,000 for hard drugs, food, and other supplies. “I was kidnapped on the 12th of January when I was working inside the farm. They asked how much I have in my account after taking me inside the bush. I spent four days. until my husband raised N3m and another N300,000 to buy hard drugs, food and other items,” Inyanugbo explained. She further noted that community vigilantes apprehended two of the culprits in the bush, while the police arrested others through tracking. “I saw one of them that boasted that nobody can do anything to him. I can’t imagine that the police could.arrrest them,” she expressed.

In a related development, the Edo State Police Command announced the arrest of 32 suspected kidnappers during the month of June. The Command also confirmed the rescue of 38 kidnapped victims through intelligence-driven operations and well-coordinated tactical responses across the state within the same timeframe.

Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, addressing a press briefing in Benin City, disclosed these figures. He also stated that 15 suspected cultists, three armed robbery suspects, 11 murder suspects, and 14 individuals involved in rape and defilement cases were apprehended. Agbonika affirmed the Command's ongoing active operations targeting kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, and other violent criminals, alongside intensified intelligence-led policing efforts.

He emphasized that the commitment to ensuring criminal elements have no hiding place in Edo State has been reinforced by concerted efforts yielding significant operational outcomes statewide. Agbonika remarked, “The accomplishments we showcase today are the outcome of the commitment, professionalism, and selflessness of the Edo State Police Command officers, who collaborate closely with other security agencies and receive patriotic support from the Edo State populace. These successes are heartening, but they also bolster our resolve to work even more to make Edo State one of the Federation’s safest states.”

He concluded by stating, “Within the period under review, a total of 45 suspects of violent crimes were arrested. These achievements underscore our unwavering resolve to rid Edo State of criminal elements and demonstrate that the Command remains proactive, responsive, and relentless in confronting every form of violent crime. As we continue the fight against criminality, I want to sincerely thank the decent and law-abiding citizens of Edo State for their continuing cooperation and faith in the police. The timely information, intelligence, and assistance we receive from members of the public remain crucial to our operational accomplishments.”