By ZAGAZOLA MAKAMA

The Police Edo has rescued five kidnap victims and arrested 15 suspected kidnappers in a coordinated operation in Ekhor-Idowlu community, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, following the abduction of a couple and discovery of other victims in captivity.

Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident began when Sunday Omoragbon, a local farmer, and his wife were lured to his farm by workers who had requested water. Unknown to him, the workers had conspired with other criminal elements to abduct the couple.

The victims were taken deep into the forest, where they met four other kidnap victims already held hostage. Upon receiving a distress alert, police operatives, surveillance teams, and local vigilantes mobilized and stormed the forest, rescuing the five victims: John Aigbe, Sunday Omoragbon, Osazee Odawo, Julie Osazee, and one other person yet to be identified.

Tragically, Mrs. Sunday Omoragbon was shot dead during the rescue operation, and Success Ugbago, a member of the vigilante team, sustained gunshot wounds and is currently receiving treatment at Enoma Hospital.

In the course of the operation, one of the suspects, Bartholomew John, was arrested at the scene. He was positively identified by the rescued victims. Items recovered from him included an iTel phone, a Techno Android phone, two power banks, an OPay ATM card, clothing, two tubers of yam, and an empty cartridge box.

While combing the forest, a suspicious Toyota Hiace Dyna with registration number GUE 992 ZY, loaded with food supplies and passengers suspected to be aiding the kidnappers, was intercepted. Eleven persons were arrested in the vehicle, including Musa Mohammed, Hanu Ibrahim, Adanu Mohammed,Abba Kawu and Yahaya Mohammed , among others.

A black Boxer Bajaj motorcycle (BEN 471 VQ) was also recovered.

Four other suspects apprehended inside the forest include: Adanu Shittu,abiu Abdulahi, Gambo Ibrahim (34), and Shittu Yunus, bringing the total number of arrests to 15.

The sources said that police authorities have launched a full investigation and assured the public of continued efforts to dismantle kidnapping syndicates operating in the region. (Zagazola, but headline rejigged)

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