Edo: Mother, 3 children, couple abducted, victims rescued – Police

A 40-year-old woman, identified as Patience Omonete, and her three children, aged 14, 12 and 10, were reportedly kidnapped at Onomi Farm in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, who disclosed this in a statement, said the victims were abducted from the farm on September 3, 2026.

Ikoedem, however, said the woman and her three children have been rescued by a combined team of security operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Okpella.

She said the DPO mobilised police operatives, the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, and local hunters, who launched a coordinated rescue operation into the forest around Onomi-Iddo, Okpella.

According to her, the intense manhunt mounted by the security team forced the kidnappers to abandon the victims in the forest.

“The woman and her three children were subsequently rescued unhurt and reunited with their family,” she said.

The police spokesperson added that efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

Ikoedem also disclosed that a 49-year-old woman, identified as Rita Emma, was abducted alongside her husband in Iruekpen, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

She said the woman was subsequently rescued by a combined team of security personnel comprising the police, Police Mobile Force 82 Squadron, Nigerian Army, ESSC and vigilantes.

She added that a 32-year-old man, Alhassan Adamu, was arrested in connection with the incident.

“On 04/09/2026 at about 0530hrs, a joint bush-combing operation led by DPO Iruekpen, involving Police Mobile Force 82 Squadron, the Nigerian Army, ESSC and vigilantes, resulted in the rescue of one of the kidnapped victims, Rita Emma (f), aged 49, who was abducted alongside her husband.

“The victim was rescued almost unconscious in the forest and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

“The suspect has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining victim and apprehend other members of the gang,” she added.