SECURITY OPERATIVES RESCUE MOTHER AND THREE CHILDREN FROM KIDNAPPERS IN EDO

Security operatives in Edo State have rescued a woman and her three children who were abducted from a farm in the Okpella area of Etsako East Local Government Area. The victims were reportedly taken into the bush by gunmen on September 3, prompting a coordinated search operation by the police and other security personnel.

The victims were identified as 40-year-old Patience Omonete and her three children, aged 14, 12 and 10. They were reportedly working on their farm when the kidnappers attacked and took them away. Following information about the abduction, the Divisional Police Officer in Okpella mobilised police personnel, members of the Edo State Security Corps and local hunters to begin a search of the surrounding forest.

The security team reportedly intensified its operation around the Onomi-Iddo axis of Okpella, putting pressure on the kidnappers as they combed the forest in search of the victims. The sustained operation eventually forced the abductors to abandon the woman and her children, who were subsequently found and rescued unhurt.

The victims were later reunited with their family following the successful operation. The rescue is one of several recent security operations in Edo State aimed at tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes, with the police working alongside other security agencies and local security groups to improve intelligence gathering and response to criminal activities.

The Edo State Police Command said efforts were continuing to identify and arrest the kidnappers responsible for the abduction. Authorities have also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting residents and urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist security agencies in preventing further attacks and bringing criminal suspects to justice.