By Jon Egie
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc, has enjoined members of the public to be confident, feel safe and go about their normal businesses as the Command engages on a robust bush combing operation of Iyuku Bush of Jattu community, Edo State with a view to arresting fleeing kidnap suspects
The operation is in response to a kidnap attempt staged by hoodlums on Thursday, July 21.
A release issued by the Command’s DPPRO, Jennifer Iwegbu said the Edo State Police Command was not unaware of the skirmishes of kidnappers and other recalcitrant elements along Benin-Lagos Road by Ogbemudia farm .
“Consequently, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations is currently leading an onslaught against bandits with tactical operational elements of the Command to ensure that the road is free and safe for the commuters and the communities along that axis.”
According to the release, in the early hours of yesterday, the Command received information from its Divisional Headquarters Okada, Edo state about the kidnap incident that occurred along the Benin-Lagos Expressway, by Ogbemudia where hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers attacked an Audi car, green in colour and whisked away three passengers whose identities were yet to be ascertained, from the vehicle into the bush.
“The Special anti-kidnapping Operation led by the DC Operations currently going on is to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and to intercept, neutralize or arrest the suspected kidnappers.” The release said.
In a related development, a Special anti-kidnapping operation conducted by the Divisional Police Officer of Jattu division of Edo state and its operatives on Thursday, July 21, engaged the kidnappers in a gun fight and rescued unhurt, a kidnapped victim, one Mohammed Jubril at Iyuku Bush of Jattu community, Edo State and recovered one locally single barrel gun, one live cartridge and a cutlass from the kidnappers, who dropped the weapons and escaped with gunshot injuries.
The police have spread a dragnet around the bush, intensively combing every corner and possible hideout to fish them out.
While reiterating his call for a synergy of efforts to fighting crime and criminality, CP Abutu Yaro further called for a continuous collaborative working relationship between the Command and members of the public by availing the Command credible and prompt information that could assist the Command contain the excesses of criminals.