Edo Police Rescue Kidnapped Man After Gun Battle With Abductors

The Edo State Police Command has rescued a 32-year-old man, Oboharekpe Muhammed David, who was allegedly kidnapped by armed men in South-Ibie, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state.

The command said David was abducted on August 20, 2026, at Ibienafe Village, South-Ibie, by four armed men.

Following a report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, immediately deployed a rescue team led by the Divisional Police Officer of the South-Ibie Division in collaboration with other security agencies.

The security team reportedly launched a search-and-rescue operation, which led to the kidnappers being sighted in a forest at about 1:30 a.m. on August 21.

According to the police, the operatives engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun battle, forcing them to flee into the surrounding area and abandon their hostage.

“The superior firepower of the security personnel forced them to flee into the surrounding terrain, abandoning the hostage,” the command said.

David was rescued unharmed and immediately taken to a hospital for medical examination and necessary attention.

The police said efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, while security operations had been intensified in the area to prevent further criminal activities.

CP Daaor commended the security personnel involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain aggressive operations against kidnappers and other criminal elements across Edo State.

“The Command’s determination to sustain aggressive operations against kidnappers and other criminal elements across the state remains unwavering,” he said.

The police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist security agencies in apprehending the fleeing suspects.