The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rescued a 15-year-old girl allegedly abducted in Ewohimi, Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State, and arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.

The Edo commandant of the corps, Saidi Akintayo, disclosed this on Saturday at a news conference in Benin.

Mr Akintayo said the victim, Glory Odigie, was rescued through an intelligence-driven operation carried out by operatives of the command.

He said the command received a report on June 19 from Odion Odigie that his younger sister had gone out the previous day to purchase a phone charging cord but failed to return home.

According to him, the family subsequently received calls from unidentified persons claiming that the teenager had been abducted and demanding a ransom of N800,000.

“The callers also warned the family against informing security agencies,” he said.

Mr Akintayo said the command immediately activated intelligence and operational mechanisms to locate the victim and identify those responsible.

“During the operation, strategic communication and intelligence gathering were sustained while our officers explored available investigative leads.

“Through a combination of technical analysis, community intelligence and tactical deployment, useful information was generated which pointed operatives to persons of interest within the locality,” he said.

The commandant said investigations led to the arrest of Freedom Saturday, 16, who subsequently provided information that led to the arrest of Thankgod Oriabor, 21, in Oghu Community, Ewohimi.

“Our investigation led to the arrest of Freedom Saturday, aged 16 years, who subsequently assisted investigators with information that led to the arrest of Thankgod Oriabor, aged 21 years, at Oghu Community, Ewohimi, where the victim was successfully rescued,” he said.

Mr Akintayo said the teenager was rescued safely and was receiving the necessary attention.

He added that the suspects remained in custody while investigations continued.

“The suspects are presently in our custody and preliminary investigation has yielded useful information to support the ongoing investigation.

“The matter will be transferred for further investigation and handled in accordance with the law,” he said.

The commandant commended officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and timely response.

He also lauded the Edo State Government for supporting security agencies and strengthening the security architecture across the state.

“I also sincerely appreciate the continued support and proactive security efforts of Gov. Monday Okpebholo, whose administration has remained resolute in the fight against kidnapping, cult-related activities and other forms of criminality across the state,” he said.

Mr Akintayo further commended sister security agencies for intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.

He warned criminal elements that Edo would remain “hostile to all forms of criminality” and reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at bringing offenders to justice.

He also urged residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that security remained a collective responsibility. 

(NAN)