Police recover kidnap victims’ bodies in Edo forest, arrest suspect

Officers of the Edo State Police Command during the rescue operation. Photo: Edo State Police Command

The Edo State Police Command has recovered the bodies of two kidnapped victims and arrested one of the suspects in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state. According to a statement on Wednesday by the state command PPRO, Eno Ikoedem, one of the bodies has been identified as that of Favour Nosakhare (66 years), who was abducted by gunmen alongside Emmanuel Annabel Osasere (28 years), and Miss Rejoice Otikpere (26 years) on May 9. The PPRO stated that the suspect, who was arrested with a gunshot wound, led operatives to where the decomposing bodies were recovered. Officers of the Edo State Police Command during the rescue operation. Photo: Edo State Police Command The statement read, “It will be recalled that on 9th May, 2026, three women, namely Mrs Favour Nosakhare (66), Mrs Emmanuel Annabel Osasere (28), and Miss Rejoice Otikpere (26), were abducted by armed kidnappers who invaded their residence in the Iyowa Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State and whisked them away into a nearby forest. “Days after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted members of the victims’ family through a video call during which the women were seen being brutally flogged and tortured while their captors demanded ransom for their release. “The disturbing development heightened concerns among residents and further galvanised the Edo State Police Command into intensive efforts towards the rescue of the victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators. “Acting on intelligence and leveraging both tactical and technological resources, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with the Drone Unit, commenced sustained rescue operations and aerial surveillance across identified forests and criminal hideouts within Ovia North-East and adjoining areas. “On 19th May, 2026, operatives busted the kidnapping gang along the powerline axis within the Ovia forest. The suspects engaged the police in a fierce gun duel but were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the operatives. Related News VIDEO: Crowd gathers after Adelabu’s sister, twin children’s abduction in Ibadan VIDEO: Bayelsa schoolchildren lead protests against kidnappings UPDATED: Gunmen kidnap ex-minister Adelabu’s sister, children in Ibadan “As a result, the hoodlums fled into the bush with gunshot injuries. A blood-soaked jacket and expended AK-47 ammunition were recovered from the scene, while surveillance and tracking operations were further intensified.” The sta