The police in Edo State have rescued eight males and two females abducted during a trip to Babcock University for GYC Africa Conference, at a location bordering Edo and Ondo states.

Spokesman for the Edo State Police Command, Moses Yamu, made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday.

Mr Yamu said the rescue followed the immediate deployment of Ohosu Division, IRT, tactical teams alongside hunters and vigilantes.

Mr Yamu stated that the students were kidnapped on Wednesday.

He noted that the rescue team engaged in a gun duel with the assailants, leading to the neutralisation of one of the kidnappers and others escaping with bullet wounds.

The spokesperson noted that a member of the police crack team sustained gunshot injury and was currently receiving treatment.

He stated, “This rescue effort eventually paid off as the ten (10) kidnapped students comprising eight (8) males and (2) females were released due to intense pressure mounted on them.’’

In a separate development, the command disclosed that two suspects, 25-year-old Binigolo Ebineme and 27-year-old Mathew Denwei, were arrested, following a distress call that they robbed a victim of his motorcycle and phone at Malim Camp Gbelebu community in the Ovia South-West LGA.

He added, “Preliminary investigation revealed that these suspects who were arrested with a locally fabricated pistol and two (2) headlamps as well as the stolen motorcycle have been terrorising farmers and commuters in that axis of the State. The suspects have confessed to the crime and will be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.”

The spokesman said the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, reassured residents of the command’s commitment, urging the public to report suspicious persons, movement or objects to the police.