NSCDC Rescues Abducted Victims, Arrests 70 Suspects for Various Crimes in Edo
The Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (SIS) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched a major clearance operation in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, leading to the arrest of 70 suspects, rescue of kidnapped victims, and dismantling of several criminal hideouts.
According to the Corps, the suspects were apprehended for their alleged involvement in kidnapping, rape, and providing logistics support to criminal gangs operating in the area.
Speaking on the operation, the Commandant of the Special Intelligence Squad, Commandant AS Dandaura (JP), said the operation was carried out in compliance with the directive of the Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, to launch an aggressive onslaught against criminal elements disturbing the peace of Edo State.
Dandaura explained that the operation followed intelligence reports linking the kidnapping network to individuals disguising as illegal miners and charcoal vendors in Okpella. “Following the Commandant General’s directive on an aggressive onslaught against unscrupulous elements terrorizing Edo State, particularly those culpable for the recent massacre of eight security personnel attached to BUA Cement Company, we moved in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and BUA International Cement management to dismantle the network,” he stated.
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During the raid, the squad uncovered several camps used by the kidnappers to detain their victims. While some of the suspects escaped, security operatives succeeded in rescuing a number of victims, including Mrs. Agbe Martha, who had been held captive for over seven days.
Recounting her ordeal, Mrs. Agbe said she and her sister-in-law were abducted by five armed men while working on their rice farm in the Ichoke area of Itsukwi community. “They looked like herders when they approached us, but they suddenly pulled out guns and took us away. My husband managed to escape,” she narrated.
She added that the kidnappers subjected them to torture and demanded ₦30 million ransom before they could regain their freedom.
The victims have since been reunited with their families in a brief ceremony attended by the Ogei-Ochi III of Itsukwi Kingdom, His Royal Highness Usman Suleiman, who commended the NSCDC leadership for restoring peace and hope to the community.
In his remarks, Commandant Dandaura reaffirmed the Corps’ determination to sustain its anti-crime operations and ensure the protection of lives and property in Edo State and across the country. He disclosed that further investigations were ongoing and that all suspects would be diligently prosecuted.
The NSCDC spokesperson, CSC Afolabi Babawale (ANIPR), in a statement from the National Headquarters in Abuja, said the Commandant General remains committed to intensifying intelligence-led operations and strengthening inter-agency collaborations to curb insecurity nationwide.
By PRNigeria
