By Ozioruva Aliu, BENIN CITY
Some persons, who were kidnapped at their farms in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State, said they escaped after their kidnappers slept off.
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They narrated their ordeal at a briefing in Benin on Friday. According to the kidnap victims, their abductors were tired after making them to walk all night.
One of the victims, Destiny Braimah, who spoke on behalf of the victims, said he was returning from the farm when he ran into six men armed with guns and cutlasses.
Braimah said the kidnappers abducted 10 other persons and took them into the forest. He said they heard police shooting, while being marched into the forest.
According to him, “I was coming from the farm when I met six of them armed with guns and matchet. They also captured others, making us 11 victims.
“They took us from one bush to another. It was around 6 p.m. that we heard police shooting. They made us walked throughout the night.
“We got to a place, and they told us to hide. They were very tired. So they slept off.
“That was how we helped ourselves and ran away. We ran to the police station, and went to meet the police. The kidnappers beat us and maltreated us.”
Another victim, Gloria Inyanugbo, who identified her abductors, said she spent four days at the kidnappers’ den before her husband paid N3m for her release.
… Police nab 32 kidnappers
The Edo State Police Command on Friday said 32 suspected kidnappers were arrested in various parts of the state in the month of June, while 38 victims were rescued through intelligence gathering and covert operations.
The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, said this in a press briefing. Also, he disclosed that 15 suspected cultists, three armed robbery suspects, 11 murder suspects and 14 suspects involved in rape and defilement cases were also arrested.
Agbonika said the Command has been conducting active operations against kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, and other suspected violent criminals as well as stepped up intelligence-led policing.
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.”
