In a statement released on Wednesday, Moses Yamu, the police public relations officer, acknowledged the development and said the operations came after separate occurrences on August 23, 2025, when armed kidnappers barricaded parts of the roadways and kidnapped multiple travelers.

According to the statement, distress calls triggered the fast mobilization of operatives from the Iguobazuwa and Ekiadolor Divisions, assisted by tactical teams, local vigilantes, and hunters. To find the kidnappers and rescue the captives, the crews started a rigorous bush-combing effort.

Using drones and other technology assistance to increase accuracy, Edo Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika personally oversaw the operation along the Benin–Akure axis.

Along the Benin–Akure Road, six victims were rescued, one of them was shot and is still undergoing treatment. On the Benin–Lagos Road, three more victims were set free, and on August 25, seven more were set free again, according to the statement.

Agbonika praised the local hunters, vigilantes, and operatives for their cooperation, emphasizing that communities and security agencies continue to work together to combat violent crime.

He promised the public that the command will keep using its technological and human resources to safeguard Edo highways and that efforts are still underway to rescue the remaining victims and catch the criminals.