By Owen Eresoyen, Benin
Operatives of Edo State Police Command have rescued an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and two others from kidnappers in Edo.
Those rescued include: Elisha Jeremiah an ASP attached to FCID Abuja, Oyedele Ebenezer of Ogbidi Road, Uromi and Useni Malam Inusa.
The victims who were traveling from Abuja to Onitsha, Anambra State, on Wednesday, January 29, in a Toyota Sienna Bus, were kidnapped at Okhuesan-Ewohimi Road, at about 6.40 pm.
A statement by the Command’s Spokesman, Moses Yamu, disclosed that operatives of Ubiaja Divisional Headquarters in a joint operation with other tactical teams immediately went on the trail of the kidnappers.
The statement added that additional Police Mobile Force Personnel were later deployed by the State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Otimenyin, to ensure the rescue of the victims and arrest the perpetrators.
“The team, acting on intelligence today at about 1530hrs, mobilised to the bushes around Ugbebor, in partnership with local hunters and vigilantes.
“This effort paid off, as the kidnappers abandoned their victims and fled when they sensed that the operatives were closing in on them.
“Victims are currently receiving treatment and would soon be reunited with their loved ones,” the statement said. Meanwhile, residents of Benin City have appealed to the state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to intensify efforts with a view to ensuring security reforms in the state. Barr Friday Osakpawman Ogieriahikhi a legal Practitioner Benin City who spoke to our Correspondent in an interview said that the situation of insecurity in the state especially in Benin City, calls for urgent attention adding that residents of Akpakpava road, Mission road and wire road currently sleep with their eyes open
While calling on governor Monday Okpebholo to redouble his efforts to ensure residents can sleep with their eyes closed, Barr Osakpawman Ogieriahikhi a one time member of the state House of Assembly said “Are we back to the days of insecurity again? Right now Benin City bubbles with activities of hoodlums and Criminals. So we are appealing to Gov Okpebholo to intensify efforts to ensure residents can sleep with their eyes closed.”
