Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested five suspected kidnappers and rescued three kidnap victims.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Kontongs Bello, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, February 22, said that the operations, which led to the arrest and rescue, were coordinated by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Iguobazuwa Police Division.

The suspected kidnappers, all Northerners identified as; Mohammed Ali, Abdullahi Umar, Bello Tambaya, Hassan Mohammad,  Adamu Bello and Babuga, were nabbed at their hideout in the Udo community Area of Iguabazua, Ovia South-West local government of Edo state on Monday, February 21. 

“The Operatives of the Edo state police command led by Divisional Police Officer Iguabazua, on 21/02/2022 at about 1850hrs, acting on credible information, arrested five male suspected kidnappers at their hideout in Udo Community Area of Iguabazua, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State,” he stated. 

“The Suspects are Mohammed Ali ‘M'(25), Abdullahi Umar ‘M’ (30), Bello Tambaya ‘M’ (24), Hassan Mohammad ‘M’ (24 ) and Adamu Bello ‘M’ (26). While one Babuga ‘M’ surname unknown, who is believed to be the principal Suspect is currently on the run”

“They are linked with the kidnapping case reported to the command on 04/02/2022 at about 1900hrs in the area.

“The suspects are already making useful information that will lead to the arrest of other gang members on the run. They will be arraigned in court accordingly as soon as investigation is concluded.”

Kongtons further disclosed that the police in collaboration with the local vigilante rescued three abducted victims after a gun battle at Unomi Farm Land in Iddo Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of the State.

“On the 20/02/2022 at about 1200hrs, the Edo State Police Command, acting on credible information that hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers, bearing dangerous weapons, were sighted around Unomi Farm Land in Iddo Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, together with some persons believed to have been kidnapped,” he said. 

“On receipt of the information the combined team of police operatives local and hunters led by the ever gallant Divisional Police Officer, Okpella Division, immediately mobilised to the location on a rescue mission and possible arrest of the suspects.

“On sighting the team of operatives approaching them, the hoodlums opened fire left, and left with no option, the team responded accordingly in an ensuing gun duel that lasted for about one hour.

“The suspected kidnappers, because of the superior firepower from the team of operatives, had to abandon their victims unhurt and escaped into the bush, with various degrees of bullet wounds.

“The names of the victims rescued are Marcellus Ekhayeme ‘M’, Igbafe Austine ‘M’ and Musa Aliu ‘M’. Upon enquiry, the victims revealed that they were kidnapped at Iyiku Jattu Area of Auchi on 08/02/2022. “They were profiled and handed over to their various families”.

The PPRO said that the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Philip Aliyu Ogbadu while assuring the law-abiding citizen of the state of their safety promised to continue to work with relevant stakeholders towards a crime-free Edo State.