The suspects were killed in a firefight with the Operatives of the State Police, following a distress call by residents of the area and mother of the abducted baby.
The command’s deputy spokesperson, Jennifer Iwegbu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 14.
Iwegbu said the kidnappers invaded a compound in the community and snatched the child from the mother.
“Distress was raised by distraught residents of Achigbor Community along Benin – Auchi road, in Uhunmwonde LGA of Edo State at about 1930hrs on 13/09/2022.
“The Police Operatives on pin-down along that axis immediately mobilized and moved to the scene, where they came to an empty compound that had been vandalized and one Elizabeth Ojo ‘F’ 42yrs screaming that her baby had been taken,” the statement read.
“On enquiry, she said some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers vandalized her property and whisked her baby of 1yr 1month away into the bush.
“The operatives immediately moved into the bush, for possible rescue of the baby. The kidnappers on sighting the operatives threw the baby into the bush and opened fire on them.
“In the firefight with the Police operatives, 3 of the 6 kidnappers succumbed to our superior firepower.
“The other three are still on the run while further bush combing of that general area is still ongoing,”
“The baby was rescued unhurt and has been handed over to the mother, the statement added.
“The following items were recovered at the scene; one cut-to-size double barrel gun,one cutlass and one battle axe. “
The Commissioner of Police CP Abutu Yaro, has commended the operatives for their timely intervention.
He urged the people of Edo State to be more security conscious and vigilant even as the year is coming to a close.
The CP further reassures the general populace that the command would continue to handle every complaint with expedient actions.
