Edo: 11 Abductees Escape After Kidnappers Sleep Off

A group of 11 farm workers abducted in Edo State’s Etsako West Local Government Area have regained their freedom after their kidnappers reportedly slept off.

The victims said the abductors dozed off after forcing them to trek through the forest throughout the night, giving them the opportunity to escape and seek help from the police.

Speaking at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City on Friday, one of the victims, Braimah Destiny, recounted how he was seized while returning from his farm.

According to him, he encountered six armed men carrying guns and machetes, who also rounded up other victims, bringing the total number of those abducted to 11. He added that the kidnappers moved them from one location in the forest to another while they could hear gunfire from security operatives in the distance.

He said, “I was coming from the farm when I met six of them armed with guns and machetes. They also captured others, making 11 victims. They took us from one bush to another. It was around 6 p.m. and we heard the police shooting. They made us walk throughout the night. We got to a place and they told us to hide. They were very tired and they slept off.

“That was how we ran to the police. The kidnappers beat us and maltreated us.”

Another victim, Gloria Inyanugbo, also narrated her ordeal, revealing that she spent four days in captivity before her family secured her release.

She said she was abducted while working on her farm and that the kidnappers demanded ransom after asking about the amount of money in her bank account.

She said, “I was kidnapped on the 12th of January when I was working on the farm. They asked how much I had in my account after taking me into the bush. I spent four days until my husband raised N3m and another N300,000 to buy hard drugs, food and other items.

“The community vigilante nabbed two of them in the bush and the police arrested others through tracking. I saw one of them who boasted that nobody could do anything to him. I can’t imagine that the police could arrest them.”

Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command disclosed that it arrested 32 suspected kidnappers in June as part of its sustained operations against violent crimes across the state.

The command also announced that 38 kidnapped victims were rescued during the period through intelligence-driven operations and coordinated tactical responses.

Edo Police Unveil June Crime-Fighting Results

Addressing journalists in Benin City, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, said the command also apprehended 15 suspected cultists, three armed robbery suspects, 11 murder suspects, and 14 suspects linked to rape and defilement cases.

Agbonika explained that the command had intensified intelligence-led policing and ongoing operations targeting kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, and other violent criminals, adding that the efforts were yielding positive results.

He said the resolve to ensure criminals had no hiding place in Edo State had been strengthened through coordinated operations and collaboration with other security agencies.

“The accomplishments we showcase today are the outcome of the commitment, professionalism, and selflessness of the Edo State Police Command officers, who collaborate closely with other security agencies and receive patriotic support from the Edo State populace. These successes are heartening, but they also bolster our resolve to work even more to make Edo State one of the Federation’s safest states.

“Within the period under review, a total of 45 suspects of violent crimes were arrested.

“These achievements underscore our unwavering resolve to rid Edo State of criminal elements and demonstrate that the Command remains proactive, responsive, and relentless in confronting every form of violent crime.

“As we continue the fight against criminality, I want to sincerely thank the decent and law-abiding citizens of Edo State for their continuing cooperation and faith in the police. The timely information, intelligence, and assistance we receive from members of the public remain crucial to our operational accomplishments,” he said.