Operatives of Edo State police command has reportedly rescued three traditional worshipers abducted by hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers.
The traditional worshipers were said to be returning from a prayer section at a river on the Benin-Abraka road when the armed hoodlums struck.
The gunmen reportedly accosted and whisked the three worshipers into the bush.
The State Police command deputy public relations officer, ASP. Jennifer Iwegbu who disclosed this in a statement said the incident occurred on Monday at about 1pm.
According to her, “upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Ugo immediately mobilised his operatives to the scene in hot pursuit of the hoodlums and possible rescue of the victims.
“The hoodlums sensing the presence of the operatives on their trail were forced to abandon their victims and fled into the bush”.
While noting that the victims have since been reunited with their families, the deputy police spokesman said: “intense bush combing is still ongoing to neutralize or arrest the hoodlums”.
He added that the operatives response to distress call in line with “Edo State Police Command continuously renewed fight to stem the increasing rise in violent crimes in the State, especially Kidnapping”.
In a related development, the police has arrested one Favor Oyhou for reportedly stabbing his boyfriend to death on July 23, 2022.
The suspect was said to have at the time fled after killing the boy identified as Paul Handsome, 25.
The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, to have at the time “ordered the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officer in charge of Auchi to smoke out the fleeing girl unhurt”.
