Police Rescue Three Kidnapped AAU Students, Neutralise Suspect in Fierce Gun Battle

NIGERIAN POLICEMEN

Police Rescue Three Kidnapped AAU Students, Neutralise Suspect in Fierce Gun Battle

The Edo State Police Command, in a coordinated joint operation with the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters, has successfully rescued three students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, who were abducted by gunmen in the Esan West Local Government Area of the state.

The students were kidnapped on Sunday, July 12, 2026, during a brazen attack in the Ujemen G.T. Extension area of Ekpoma. The rescued students were identified as Praise Obagbalu, 18; Favour Okoroji, 21; and Balogun Precious, 19. Tragically, a 24-year-old 300-level undergraduate, Peter Ekpen Adolor, was murdered during the assault. According to police findings, Adolor attempted to open a hostel gate to investigate a distress scream outside and was shot in the abdomen by one of the assailants. He was rushed to Eguavoen Hospital, Ekpoma, where he was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, revealed the news on Tuesday during a press briefing at the Nigeria Police Divisional Headquarters in Ekpoma. Represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the commissioner stated that the command received a distress alert at about 9:00 p.m. on the day of the incident indicating that armed individuals believed to be kidnappers had assaulted the area and abducted the students. Upon receipt of the report, the commissioner promptly ordered the deployment of tactical teams and nearby police divisions for a collaborative rescue mission that included the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters. The team subsequently conducted coordinated bush-combing and intelligence-led operations aimed at rescuing the hostages unharmed and apprehending the perpetrators.

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The rescue mission took place in the early hours of Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at about 6:00 a.m., when the joint security team located the kidnappers’ hideout in Erah Forest. Security forces engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, with the superior tactical response of the operatives forcing the kidnappers to abandon their captives and flee. One suspected kidnapper was neutralised during the operation, while another was apprehended with serious gunshot injuries. The three kidnapped students were rescued alive and rushed to the hospital for medical attention. According to the police, the operation resulted in the seizure of three AK-47 rifles with magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, five mobile phones, two power banks, one Red Cross bag, and one charger.

The commissioner stated that operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the notorious gang that specialised in kidnapping in Ekpoma and its environs, ensuring that they are brought to justice. He commended the bravery, professionalism, and resilience of officers and personnel of the Edo State Police Command, the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters whose joint efforts led to the successful operation. He also appreciated the support of the Edo State Government and members of the public for providing timely and credible information that aided the operation.

Addressing journalists after their rescue, the three students recounted that they were held deep inside the forest by their captors, who repeatedly moved them from one location to another while demanding that they contact their relatives to raise ransom. They expressed gratitude to the joint security team, stating that they were eventually rescued without any ransom being paid.