The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the successful rescue of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Elisha Jeremiah, along with two other individuals, who were kidnapped by armed assailants on January 29, 2025.
Moses Yamu, the Public Relations Officer for the Command, shared the details of the operation in a statement issued to journalists on Tuesday in Benin City. He noted that ASP Jeremiah is affiliated with the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja.
The other rescued individuals have been identified as Oyedele Ebenezer, a resident of Ogbidi Road in Uromi, and Useni Malam Inusa.
According to Yamu, the victims were freed by officers from the Ubiaja division, who collaborated with local hunters and vigilante groups during the operation.
The statement elaborated on the circumstances surrounding the abduction, which involved a group of travelers in a Toyota Sienna who were intercepted while traveling from Abuja to Onitsha, Anambra State, on the Okhuesan-Ewohimi Road at approximately 6:40 PM.
In response to the incident, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, ordered an immediate and heightened deployment of Police Mobile Force personnel to assist in the rescue efforts and apprehend the kidnappers.
“Following the incident, operatives from the Ubiaja Divisional Headquarters, alongside other tactical teams, swiftly initiated a pursuit of the kidnappers,” the statement noted.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, the team mobilized to the vicinity of Ugbebor around 3:30 PM, working in conjunction with local hunters and vigilantes. Their efforts proved successful when the kidnappers abandoned their captives and fled upon realizing that law enforcement was closing in.”
The statement confirmed that ASP Jeremiah, Oyedele Ebenezer, and Useni Malam Inusa are currently receiving medical attention and will soon be reunited with their families.
Commissioner Otimenyin reiterated her commitment to enhancing public safety and eradicating criminal activities within the state, assuring residents that the police force remains vigilant and proactive in addressing security challenges.
