Precious Aigbonga, President of the Igueben area Customary Court, who was kidnapped on January 9 on the Benin-Ugoneki-Eguaholor-Ugieghudu-Ebelle Road, has been freed, according to the Edo State Police Command.
The command said in a statement on Friday in Benin by its spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor, that two victims of recent abduction at a railway station in the state were also freed.
He stated that a team made up of police officers, members of the military, vigilante organisations, hunters, and members of the state security unit stormed Scorpion Hills in the state’s Egbisi forest and freed the victims.
According to Mr Nwabuzor, the victims were rescued on Thursday, during which two of the kidnappers were killed and 49 rounds of AK 47 live ammunition were recovered.
“Sadly, DSP Michael Adams, who was attached to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit of the Command, fell unwell and died within a short period after the operation,” he added.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dankwara, expressed regret over the loss of the police officer and extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of the late officer.