The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a large number of persons said to be Dangote Cement Company workers in Okpella in the Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

The Command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation, disclosed that operations to rescue the kidnap victims are ongoing.

The workers were kidnapped on Monday evening at the Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.

The police spokesperson in the state said the Divisional Police Officer of Okpella Division, upon receipt of information about the incident, mobilised a team of operatives for a bush-combing exercise.

He said policemen were joined in the exercise by soldiers, vigilantes and hunters.

According to Nwabuzor, some of the kidnap victims have been rescued.

The command said it would provide more details on the incident as events unfold.

Below is the police statement on the incident:

Tuesday 14th May, 2024.

The Director News,

EDO STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE

● Attack On A Commercial Bus And Kidnap Of Passengers At Okpella in Edo State.

On 13th May 2024 at about 2200hrs the Divisional Police Officer of Okpella Division, Edo State received a distress call from the head of security to Dangote Cement Factory Okpella, Edo State that at about 1800hrs a bus conveying Dangote Cement workers from the factory moving to Okpella Town was attacked by the hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers and took some passengers into the bush.

Immediately, the Divisional Police Officer mobilized his Operatives, Vigilantes group, and the Hunters into the forest for a vigorous bush combing operations to rescue the victims unhurt and to arrest the kidnappers.

In the process, one Omoba “M” whose other names are unknown was rescued, and at a look, it was discovered that he was with some bullet injuries on the back, shot by the hoodlums. He was immediately rushed to Halimatu Musa Hospital for medical attention

Meanwhile, one other victim who was earlier shot at the point of the attack and another victim one Victor Okon, were rushed to the same hospital for treatment.

The Commissioner of Police Edo State Command, CP Funsho Adegboye, mni gave a marching order to the Divisional Police Officer Okpella Division, the Vigilantes group and the Hunters to intensified the bush combing exercise in ensuring a speedy rescue of the remaining victims and to effect the arrest of the kidnappers.The CP gave this directive during his visit to Dangote Cement Factory Okpella and the Halimatu Musa Hospital, where he met with the injured victims of the kidnap.

E-SIGNED

SP CHIDI NWABUZOR, Anipr

POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

EDO STATE COMMAND. (Courtesy, excluding headline, Channels TV)

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