Eleven people abducted from their farms in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State escaped after their kidnappers reportedly fell asleep following an overnight trek through the forest.
Speaking at the Edo State Police Command headquarters on Friday, one of the victims, Braimah Destiny, said he was returning from his farm when he encountered six armed men carrying guns and machetes. He said the attackers abducted him alongside 10 others and marched them through the forest while they could hear gunfire from police officers searching for them.
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 six 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, said she recognised some of her abductors. She recalled being kidnapped while working on her farm on January 12 and spending four days in captivity before her husband secured her freedom after paying a ransom.
She said, “I was kidnapped on the 12th of January when I was working inside the farm. They asked how much I have in my account after taking me inside 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 inside the bush and the police arrested others through tracking. I saw one of them that boasted that nobody can do anything to him. I can’t imagine that the police could.arrrest them.”
Meanwhile, the Edo State Police Command said it arrested 32 suspected kidnappers in June and rescued 38 kidnapped victims through intelligence-led operations and coordinated tactical missions across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, disclosed this during a press briefing in Benin City. He added that the command also arrested 15 suspected cultists, three armed robbery suspects, 11 murder suspects and 14 suspects linked to rape and defilement cases.
According to Agbonika, the command has intensified operations against kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and other violent criminals, while strengthening intelligence-driven policing to deny criminal groups safe havens across the state.
He said, “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.”
