The Edo State Police Command and the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, have laid claim to the rescue of nine kidnap victims in Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.
DAILY POST reports that while the ESSC said the victims were rescued in collaboration with local hunters in the Ikabigbo community in the locality, the State Police Command claimed the victims were also rescued in collaboration with vigilantes and hunters.
The Command also added that the rescue was achieved with the aid a drone deployed by the Eagle Combat Drone Unit, a team of drone experts recently trained and equipped by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
According to the command, it was the unit’s first ever rescue mission.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem dated January 10, 2025, said the victims were kidnapped at Ikabigbo community in Uzairue, and rescued by operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, Jattu Division who mobilized his troops in collaboration with vigilantes and hunters.
“In the early hours of today, January 9, 2026, at about 4:25 am, in the heat of the rescue operation, the kitchen idnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence.
“The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.
“The victims, one adult male, three adult females, and five children were rescued unhurt.
“This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” police statement said.
On his part, the Deputy Corps Commander Operation of ESSC, Richard Balogun, informed journalists of the rescue of the victims by operatives of the corps.
Balogun said seven of the victims were abducted on their way from church around Jattu Grammar School behind the power line.
He said the victims were forced into the forest where the abductors commenced ransom negotiations to the tune of N50 million with the families.
He alleged that the same gang members laid ambush on the farm road in Jattu, where they kidnapped a couple who were returning from the farm at about 6:00 pm.
“The couple were taken deep into the forest where they started another round of ransom talk.
“The situation led to an intensive bush combing by men of the Edo State Security Corps and local hunters.
“The fearless men engaged the hoodlums in a gun battle resulting in the rescue of the nine kidnapped victims unhurt while the hoodlums fled,” the ESSC statement read.
Balogun posited that the rescue operation by operatives of the corps was in line with its mandate of aligning with other security agents.
He also disclosed that two locally made rifles were recovered and handed over to the police while all the rescued victims have since reunited with their family members.
Confusion as Police, Edo Security Corps lay claim to rescue of kidnap victims
