From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
The Edo State Police command said one person was killed and 14 others were rescued from the hands of kidnappers during a gun duel along Obe Hill by pipeline leading to Ajaokuta.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Yamu Joel, in a statement on Saturday, 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.
He said the armed men had reportedly blocked the Fugar-Agenebode road, following which the police 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 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 on-going 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, Monday Agbonika, commended the bravery and swift response of the combined security team, assuring the public that everything possible would be done to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The police spokesman further said that the command had consoled with the families of the deceased while assuring the general public that operations in the area would be intensified.
He urged members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with the law enforcement, and continue to provide timely information that could aid on-going investigations and security operations in the area and in the state.
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