The Edo State Police Command has recorded another breakthrough in its ongoing fight against kidnapping with the successful rescue of Mr. Obareki Emmanuel, aged 66, from kidnappers in the Ibeakuma Forest on Sunday, 6 September 2026.
The victim was kidnapped alongside his wife, who was earlier rescued unhurt on 4 September 2026, as reported by the Command in its press release of 5 September 2026.
Following the earlier rescue, the Command sustained a coordinated, intelligence-led operation involving technical intelligence and bush-combing.
The kidnappers were tracked to a location within the forest where they had positioned themselves to collect the ransom payment.
At about 1630hrs on 6 September, security operatives comprising the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Security Corps, 82 Mobile Police Force personnel and Vigilantes moved into the area, leading to the successful rescue of the victim unhurt and the recovery of the ransom money.
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.
Meanwhile, the Command is also investigating a robbery incident which occurred at about 0300hrs on 6 September 2026 at the residence of Hon. Kennedy Odion, State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), off Winners Road, Uhie, Benin City.
The hoodlums reportedly made away with four mobile phones, ₦500,000 cash, two Toyota Highlander vehicles and other valuables.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Patrick Daaor, PSC(+), MNIPS, personally visited the scene and directed immediate, comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending the perpetrators.
The case has been taken over by the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), while detectives have processed the scene and commenced investigation.
The Command reiterates its commitment to intelligence-led, proactive and collaborative policing and assures residents of Edo State that every available resource will continue to be deployed towards protecting lives and property and bringing criminal elements to justice.
ASP ENO IKOEDEM, anipr,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
EDO STATE COMMAND
6th September, 2026.
