The Edo State Police Command has rescued an abducted cattle dealer, Mr. Peter Balogun, after an intensive intelligence-driven operation in the state.
Balogun was kidnapped by suspected kidnappers on July 7, 2026, along the Igarra–Auchi Expressway. He regained his freedom on July 15 following a coordinated rescue mission by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), and the Police Drone Unit.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Eno Ikoedem, the rescue followed sustained clearance operations in the Imoga Forest and nearby communities. She said the kidnappers fled and abandoned their victim after spotting a police helicopter conducting aerial surveillance.
Ikoedem noted that continuous drone monitoring, aerial patrols, and the advancing security teams mounted significant pressure on the criminals, leaving them with no option but to flee deeper into the forest.
She added that during debriefing, the victim disclosed that the persistent helicopter patrols caused panic among his captors, forcing them to abandon him.
The police have reunited Balogun with his family and said efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
