Ekpoma: Police Foil Kidnap Operation, Rescue Victims Along Benin-Lagos Expressway

By Daniel Dafe

Police in Edo State on Saturday foiled a kidnap operation and rescued victims along Benin-Lagos expressway in Ekpoma.

CSP Moses Joel Yamu, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, who disclosed this in a statement, added that the operation too place in the early hours of Saturday, 13th September 2025, at about 2.30a.m.

According to him, “operatives of the Okada Division led by CSP Opatoyinbo John, while on a routine patrol at Morgan and Isiuwa slope along the Benin–Lagos expressway, responded swiftly to a distress call regarding a kidnapping attempt.”

He continued: “Armed hoodlums had barricaded the highway with woods and opened sporadic gunfire in an attempt to intercept and abduct the occupants of a Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number KUJ 342 CU (Abuja). The vehicle, driven by one Nana Aghogho ‘M’, aged 51 years, was conveying fingerling fish from Lagos State to Akwa Ibom State with two passengers on board.

“On sighting the gunmen, the gallant operatives engaged them in a fierce exchange of fire, forcing the hoodlums to abandon their criminal mission and flee into the nearby bush. The driver and his two passengers, Oseghale Mathias ‘M’ (40yrs) and John Edobor ‘M’ (24yrs), were rescued unhurt.

“The barricades placed by the hoodlums were immediately cleared, thereby restoring free flow of traffic and ensuring the safety of other road users.”

In a related development, operatives of the Ekpoma Divisional Headquarters led by SP Nelson Igbinoba today rescued and reunited with the family, a female victim Elohor Osifoh earlier kidnapped on 10th September, 2025 after days of relentless bush combing rescue operation.

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Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc commended the gallantry and prompt response of the operatives, while assuring members of the public of the Command’s resilience and commitment to rid the state of criminal elements.

He further urged road users to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest Police formation for swift action.