Police Neutralize Suspected Kidnapper In Benin, Rescue Abducted Victim
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have successfully neutralized a suspected kidnapper and rescued his victim in the Egor area of the state, in a swift operation that underscores the command’s commitment to combating crime. The Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Moses Yamu, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Benin.
According to Yamu, the suspect and an accomplice had ambushed their victim, Iyobo Ighodaro, at gunpoint, abducting him while he was inside his silver Mercedes Benz C350. The abduction took place in broad daylight, setting off alarms when a relative of the victim, Valentine Igbinevbo, reported the incident to the Ugbowo Police Station on the 15th of September.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ugbowo Police Station, CSP John Emmanuel, immediately mobilized a surveillance team to track the kidnappers. Utilizing intelligence gathered from the field, the team traced the suspects to their hideout in the Egor area, located on the outskirts of Benin City. It was at this hideout that the kidnappers were in the process of negotiating a ransom, using the victim’s mobile phone.
Upon the arrival of the police operatives, the kidnappers opened fire, resulting in a gun battle. During the shootout, one of the male suspects, whose identity remains unknown, sustained fatal injuries. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. His accomplice, however, managed to flee the scene, believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.
Following the operation, the police recovered several items, including the victim’s vehicle, a cut-to-size locally made gun, one live cartridge, a cutlass, and three mobile phones used by the suspects. The swift response of the police ensured that the victim, Iyobo Ighodaro, was rescued unharmed. After receiving medical attention, he was reunited with his family.
SP Yamu highlighted that the body of the deceased suspect has been deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital for further investigation. He also quoted the Commissioner of Police for Edo State, Nemi Iwo, who commended the DPO and his team for their decisive action in preventing the kidnapping and apprehending the suspect.
Commissioner Iwo used the opportunity to issue a stern warning to criminal elements in Edo State, making it clear that the police force would not relent in its fight against crime. “Let this serve as a warning to all criminals operating within Edo State: your days are numbered,” the commissioner declared. He urged residents to continue providing timely information to law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of their communities.
The incident has been praised as a significant victory for the Edo State Police Command, which has been working tirelessly to curtail the rising trend of kidnappings and other violent crimes in the state. This successful rescue operation is expected to bolster public confidence in the police force and demonstrate their capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to threats of abduction and violence.
