By Ighomuaye Lucky. O
The Edo State Police command said one person was killed and 14 others were rescued from the hands of deadly kidnappers during a fierce gun battle along Obe Hill by pipeline leading to Ajaokuta.
The police image maker, SP Joel Yamu, in a statement made available to Journalists in the state, said the police got a distress call that some armed men were terrorising Fugar-Agenebode road, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state and they quickly responded to save the day.
“On 11/07/2025 at about 1920hrs, upon receiving a distress call that armed men blocked the Fugar-Agenebode road, Etsako East Local Government Area, the Command immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives from Agenebode, local vigilantes, and hunters who responded swiftly and pursued the assailants into the forest.
“During the encounter, a gun duel ensued along Obe Hill by pipeline leading to Ajaokuta, the security team successfully rescued fourteen (14) kidnapped passengers alive.
“Unfortunately, a 12-year-old girl was fatally shot by the fleeing kidnappers during the crossfire.
“One female victim is still unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing to ensure her safe rescue.
“This follows the report that armed men suspected to be kidnappers ambushed and blocked the highway, opened fire on unsuspecting commuters, killing two persons on the spot and abducting others in a brazen act of violence”, Yamu said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, commended the bravery and swift response of the combined security team and has assured the public that everything possible will be done to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The Police Public Relations Officer further said that the command extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and it also assures the general public that operations in the area will be intensified.
He said that an additional deployments have been made to prevent further attacks and track down the fleeing criminals.
He appealed to the members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and continue to provide timely information that can aid ongoing investigations and security operations in the area and in the state.
