The Edo State police command says it rescued two victims, Obareki Emmanuel and his wife from a kidnappers’ den in the Ibeakuma Forest.

The victims were reportedly kidnapped on Friday.

The state police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, stated this in a statement on Sunday.

She noted that the victims were rescued unhurt from their captors.

“Following the earlier rescue, the command sustained a coordinated, intelligence-led operation involving technical intelligence and bush-combing,” she said. 

She stated that the kidnappers were tracked to a location within the forest where they positioned themselves to collect ransom.

“At about 1630hrs on 6 September, security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Security Corps, 82 Mobile Police Force personnel and bigilantes moved into the area, leading to the successful rescue of the victim unhurt and the recovery of the ransom money,” she noted.

According to her, the kidnappers who engaged the security team, escaped into the forest with gunshot wounds. 

“The bush-combing operation remains ongoing as efforts are intensified to track, arrest and bring the fleeing suspects to justice,” she noted.

She stated that the command was also investigating a robbery incident which occurred at about 3:00 a.m on Wednesday at the residence of the state Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kennedy Odion, in Benin City.

“The hoodlums reportedly made away with four mobile phones, ₦500,000 cash, two Toyota Highlander vehicles and other valuables,” she added.