By Patrick Idowu
The Edo State Police Command has rescued ten students of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who were abducted on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, while travelling from Rivers State to Babcock University for the Annual GYC Africa Conference.
Spokesman of the Command, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the victims, eight males and two females, were kidnapped near the Edo and Ondo border.
Following the report, the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, swiftly mobilised operatives from the Ohosu Division, the Intelligence Response Team, tactical units, vigilantes, and local hunters to comb the forests in a rescue mission.
During the operation, a fierce gun battle ensued between the police and the abductors. One of the kidnappers was gunned down, while others escaped with bullet wounds.
The police exercised caution as the kidnappers used their victims as human shields.
An Inspector sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
Yamu said the relentless pressure forced the kidnappers to release the captives unconditionally.
In a related operation, police arrested two robbery suspects, Binigolo Ebimene, 25, and Mathew Denwei, 27, in Ovia South West Local Government Area.
The suspects allegedly robbed a victim of his motorcycle and phones at Malim Camp, Gbelebu community.
Items recovered from them include a locally made pistol, two headlamps, and the stolen motorcycle.
Both suspects confessed to the crime and will be charged after investigations.
Commissioner Agbonika has issued a stern warning to criminals in the state to desist or face dire consequences, urging residents to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities to the police.
