Vigilantes and hunters enlisted by police to rescue pregnant woman, sister abducted after husband was killed
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Police have rescued the pregnant wife of Pius Friday who was killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen kidnappers on April 14 in Uluoke community, Etsako West Council of Edo.
Edo Police Command spokesperson Moses Yamu disclosed in a statement on Sunday in Benin City that the sister of the woman was also rescued in collaboration with vigilantes and hunters in an operation carried out at about 9.15pm on Friday.
He gave the names of the rescued women as Esther Friday (wife), 32, and Joy Iregbeyen (sister), 23.
“The Edo State Police Command has rescued another two (2) kidnapped victims on 18/04/2025 at about 2115hrs demonstrating its commitment to tackle criminality in the state,” the statement said.
“This is further to a case which was reported on 14/04/2025 at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Iyamho, where a woman and her sister were kidnapped after shooting and fatally wounding the woman’s husband at Oluoke community.
“The injured man was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on duty.
“In a swift response, the DPO, Anti Kidnapping Team stationed at Edo North, and Operation Rescue in the company of vigilantes/hunters mobilised and went after the kidnappers to rescue the victims and arrest the kidnappers.
“The resilience and determination of the operatives led to the rescue of the two (2) women, namely, Esther Friday, 32yrs and Joy Iregbeyen, 23yrs whom the kidnappers abandoned and ran away [from] because of the mounting pressure by the security teams.
“Unfortunately, the kidnappers shot one of the women in the foot out of frustration, but she is currently responding to treatment.”
Last Thursday, women in the community protested over the killing of Pius by suspected Fulani herdsmen and tabduction of his pregnant wife and sister-in-law.
The protesters called on government at all levels and the security agencies, to come to the aid of the community, as well as help rescue the pregnant woman and her sister.
They disclosed that Friday, a father of three, was killed in his house between 1am and 2am on April 14.
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