Edo Police Rescues Nine Kidnap Victims, As Ondo Command Frees 13-Year Old From Abductors

By Ayodele Oni 

The Edo State Police Command has said that its operatives have rescued nine victims from two kidnapping incidents in the state, just as the Ondo state command rescued a 13 years old girl from her suspected abductors.

In a statement by the Spokesperson of the Edo state Command, Eno Ikoedem, said that five victims, including three in the GUO bus incident were rescued.

She stated that two other victims were also rescued from another incident that occurred along the Benin-Lagos expressway.

According to her, the command also successfully rescued four other kidnapped victims, who were abducted earlier this month and held in captivity within the Imiegba forest in Agenebode in Edo North.

The statement read, “The Edo State Police Command is pleased to inform the general public that all five victims abducted during the recent kidnapping incident along the Benin–Lagos Expressway have been successfully rescued alive.

“This breakthrough was achieved following the immediate and massive deployment of tactical teams, intelligence assets, aerial surveillance, and other operational resources by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, to the affected corridor.

“The sustained rescue efforts, coordinated bush-combing operations, and strategic dominance of the area exerted pressure on the kidnappers ultimately leading to the safe rescue of all five victims. 

“They have since received medical evaluation and treatment, and reunited with their families.

Also, the command also successfully rescued four other kidnapped victims who were abducted and held in captivity within the Imiegba forest in Agenebode.

“They have likewise received medical attention and are safe making a total of nine kidnapped victims rescued.”

And in Ondo state, personnel successfully intercepted a suspected child trafficking operation and rescued a minor along the Owena axis of the State.

Command spokesman, Abayomi Jimoh stated that “On the 23rd of April, 2026, at about 1844hrs, a Toyota Hummer 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Lagos to Abuja was intercepted at the Owena Checkpoint by personnel of the Nigerian Army. 

“The vehicle, which was fully loaded with waybills, was driven by one Akomolafe Tope ‘M’, aged 59 years, alongside a conductor, one Sunday Ismaila ‘M’, aged 48 years. 

“Upon thorough scrutiny, a 13-year-old girl was found in their custody under suspicious circumstances.

“Preliminary questioning revealed that the suspects could not provide credible or verifiable information regarding the identity, origin, or destination of the minor, thereby raising strong suspicion of child trafficking.

“The suspects were immediately taken into custody, while the minor was rescued and placed under protective care. 

“The case has since been transferred to the Gender-Based Offences Unit of the Command for discreet and comprehensive investigation while the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.”