Operatives from the Okada Division of the Edo State police command, on Saturday, rescued three passengers from being kidnapped along the Benin-Lagos Expressway.

In a statement on Saturday, a spokesperson for the command, Moses Yamu, said suspected kidnappers had just intercepted the vehicle conveying the victims when the operatives engaged them in a gun duel, forcing them to flee and abandon the victims.

According to Mr Yamu, the operatives, led by CSP Opatoyinbo John, were on routine patrol at Morgan and Isiuwa slope along the highway, at about 02:30 a.m., in response to a distress call about a kidnapping attempt.

Mr Yamu said, “Armed hoodlums had barricaded the highway with woods and opened sporadic gunfire in an attempt to intercept and abduct the occupants of a Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number KUJ 342 CU (Abuja). The vehicle, driven by one Nana Aghogho ‘M’, aged 51 years, was conveying fingerling fish from Lagos State to Akwa Ibom State with two passengers on board.

“On sighting the gunmen, the gallant operatives engaged them in a fierce exchange of fire, forcing the hoodlums to abandon their criminal mission and flee into the nearby bush. The driver and his two passengers, Oseghale Mathias ‘M’ (40yrs) and John Edobor ‘M’ (24yrs), were rescued unhurt. The barricades placed by the hoodlums were immediately cleared, thereby restoring free flow of traffic and ensuring the safety of other road users.”

The police spokesperson also disclosed that operatives from the Ekpoma Division, on Saturday, rescued one other victim who had been kidnapped and held in a bush since Wednesday.

“In a related development, operatives of the Ekpoma Divisional Headquarters, led by SP Nelson Igbinoba, today rescued and reunited with the family, a female victim, Elohor Osifoh, earlier kidnapped on 10th September, 2025, after days of relentless bush combing rescue operation.”

Commending the gallantry and prompt response by the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, assured residents of his command’s resilience and commitment to rid the state of criminal elements.

He urged road users to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest police formation for swift action.