Police rescue Edo traditional ruler four days after abduction

The Edo State Police Command has rescued the abducted Friday Ehizojie, the traditional ruler of Udo-Eguare kingdom four days after he was kidnapped.

The traditional ruler of Udo-Eguare kingdom in Igueben Local Government Area of the state was abducted by suspected kidnappers on February 3, 2025 while on a motorbike.

The monarch, who was a passenger on the motorbike, was kidnapped with three others, while the bike man was killed and one of the victims was said to have been freed.

Confirming the rescue of the traditional ruler, Moses Yamu, Public Relations Officer of the Command, in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday, February 8, 2025 said the monarch was rescued after four days in captivity.

Yamu attributed the successful rescue of the abductee to the logistics support rendered by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo to the command.

He said the Command also appreciated vigilantes, hunters and other well-meaning residents of the state for their support.

The statement is titled, ‘Edo Police Rescued Onogie of Udo-Eguare after four days in captivity.’

He did not, however, confirm whether the other kidnapped victims were also rescued or the suspected kidnappers arrested.

The statement reads in part, “The Edo State Police Command is pleased to inform the general public that the sustained search and rescue operations have yielded positive results.

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“The Commissioner of Police Edo State Command, Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, has today 07/02/2024 at about 1800hrs kept her vow with the rescue of the Onogie of Udo-Eguare community who was earlier kidnapped on the 03/02/2025.

“The Command appreciates the Government of Edo State and attributed this success to the logistic support rendered by the Executive Governor of Edo State, HE Sen. Monday Okpebholo towards this operation.

“The Command equally appreciates the vigilantes, hunters and other well-meaning residents of the State for their support so far.

“The general public is assured that the Command’s commitment to the fight against crime remains unshaken.”

Recall that the command had on February 3, 2025 announced the deployment of tactical teams and Police Mobile Force to rescue the kidnapped Onogie.

The command had in a statement said the deployment of the operatives was to ensure that the victims were rescued and the culprits arrested.

The statement quoted, Betty Enekpen Otimenyin, the Commissioner of the command, saying that the 21- year-old traditional ruler and five others were kidnapped while riding as a passenger on a motorcycle along a lonely path leading to the community.

Otimenyin added that the abductees were ambushed by unknown persons, and in the process the Okada rider was shot dead before the Onogie was abducted.

It was further gathered that the victims were kidnapped on Sunday while the Okada rider was reportedly shot dead at the spot inside the forest by Rest House junction between Ubiaja and Udo.

A source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said, one of the victims, was, however, released by the suspects.