Edo Police Rescue 12Yr Old Girl, Kill Suspect In Shootout

The Edo State Police Command has rescued a 12-year-old girl and foiled an attempted abduction in two separate operations across the state, killing one suspect and rescuing several victims unhurt.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the successful operations were carried out in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters.

According to the statement, on October 14, operatives of the Jattu Division rescued a 12-year-old girl, Blessing Anani, who was abducted from Ayogwiri Community, Uzairue, in Etsako West Local Government Area.

Yamu explained that the operatives, acting on intelligence, trailed a family member, Sunday Idornigie, who was coerced into delivering ransom to the kidnappers near the Agenebode axis.

“Upon arrival, one of the suspects attacked the family member with a machete. As operatives advanced to rescue him, the kidnappers opened fire, prompting an exchange of gunfire,” the statement said.

While the kidnappers fled during the shootout, the police rescued Anani unhurt. Idornigie, who sustained machete injuries, was taken to hospital for treatment.

One suspect, who sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange, was confirmed dead at Favour Hospital, Afashio.

His body has been deposited in the morgue, while efforts continue to track down the fleeing gang members.

In a separate operation on October 17, police operatives foiled an attempted abduction along the Igarra–Ibillo Highway.

Responding to a distress call, officers engaged suspected kidnappers in a gun battle, overpowering them and forcing them to flee into the bush. The targeted victims, traders returning from Ibillo Market, were rescued unharmed.

Yamu said that bush-combing operations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Commending the operatives for their bravery, Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, urged residents to remain vigilant and support the police with credible information.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Together, we can rid our communities of criminal elements,” Agbonika stated.