Edo security corps rescues abducted teenager

A teenager identified as Blessing has been rescued by operatives of the Edo State Security Corps five days after she was abducted.

Blessing was kidnapped last week at Ayogwiri in Etsako West Local Government Area and rescued at Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area on Wednesday.

reports that she was kidnapped by suspected armed herders who attacked some women returning from the farm. Blessing’s mothers and two other women who sustained injury during the abduction were released by the kidnappers the same day.

This incident is said to have created fear and panic in the community, and the kidnappers asked for N5 million randomly.

However, a viral video on Wednesday showed moments when the teenager was rescued from the forest by the ESSC officials.

She stated that she had spent five days in the forest when officials of the ESSC asked how long she had been kidnapped.

The distraught-looking girl said, “I have been in the bush for five days.”

One of the vigilantes who joined the rescue operation but pleaded anonymity said the forest was combed before the victim was sighted.

He stated that the kidnappers fled after a shoot-out, while some of the suspected abductors were reportedly arrested.

The ESSC official said, “The girl was found while we were combing the forest, while some of her abductors fled. However, some were not so lucky and were arrested. That is all the information I can give now.”

The spokesperson for Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, could not be reached for comments.

The state has been plagued by the activities of kidnappers and cultists, with the command working with sister agencies and other security apparatus to fight these criminal elements.

Several criminals have been arrested, ensuring that those who have cases to answer are charged to court after investigation.

 reports that on March 28, 2025, an angry mob killed seven travellers in Uromi, Edo Central, over their suspected involvement in kidnapping.

Guns were found in the truck, taking them to the northern part of the country, which triggered the lynching of about 16 of them, with seven dying in the process