We rescued 37 kidnapped victims in Edo, says Police Commissioner
By Titus Akhigbe
The police command in Edo State on Wednesday said at least 37 people were rescued in the state following collaborative bush-combing operations involving the military, Air Force, civil defence, hunters, and vigilantes.
The police authorities also noted that among the rescued 37 kidnapped victims, include the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Esan West Local Government Area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, disclosed this in Benin during a press briefing to mark his first 30 days upon assumption of duty in Edo State.
He said the victims were rescued without ransom payment through coordinated intelligence-led operations.
Commenting on the abduction and subsequent release of a PDP Chieftain in the state, CP Agbonika said that the PDP chairman, abducted on April 15 while working on his farm in Emu Forest, was rescued on May 7 after days of intense pursuit by the police and allied security agencies.
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“The 37 people rescued are a direct result of collaborative bush-combing operations involving the military, Air Force, civil defence, hunters, and vigilantes.’’
The Edo CP added that within his first 30 days in office, the command recovered 25 firearms, including two AK-47 rifles, and arrested 12 suspected kidnappers and 95 robbery suspects.
He said that other recovered items were 165 rounds of live ammunition, a Mercedes-Benz GLK 300, a Toyota Hilux truck, a Toyota Highlander, motorcycles, and N115,000 cash.
The police commissioner said community engagements and stakeholders’ collaboration remained central to the command’s approach in addressing insecurity.
He spoke on farmer-herder tensions in parts of the state, saying that the situation was delicate but manageable .
According to him, there is a need for deliberate efforts to rebuild trust between farmers and pastoralists.
“We are reforming the vigilante structure to ensure that local security outfits operate only within their communities and with proper oversight,” he said.
He also cautioned against the illegal possession of firearms, warning that unauthorised weapons would be confiscated, regardless of the bearer’s status.
The Edo Police Boss commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo for their continued support in the fight against crime and criminality.
He equally assured residents in the state that the command would not relent until criminal networks in Edo were dismantled.
