Police rescue abducted pastor in Benin

The Edo State Police Command on Thursday confirmed the rescue of abducted pastor, Solomon Ativiel, in Benin, the state capital.

The command’s spokesperson, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident through a telephone chat with our correspondent in Benin on Thursday, said that one suspected kidnapper was killed while two others were injured during the rescue operation which was carried out on Tuesday.

Nwabuzor also said that the suspects were transferred to the state police command headquarters on Wednesday.

“I can confirm to you that the pastor has been rescued while one of the suspected kidnappers was neutralised during the rescue operation.

“The other suspects have been transferred to the state command headquarters and the investigation is ongoing,” Nwabuzor added.

A source familiar with the case said, “The victim, Pastor Solomon Ativiel, was kidnapped by a seven-man kidnapping gang at Urhobo Camp of Iguelaiho Community in Ovia South-West local Government Area of Edo State.

“The victim was returning from his farm on Monday evening when the suspected kidnappers accosted him and whisked him away.

“The victim was taken through Igben waterway when community youths, including hunters and vigilantes, blocked the waterway with a larger boat and a gun battle ensued between them and the community youths.”

Similarly, on July 23, 2024, the Ondo State Police Command, said travellers, which included five members of the National Youth Service Corps who were kidnapped along the Benin-Owo Expressway were rescued after being abandoned in the forest by the abductors.

The kidnappers, numbering about 15, armed with AK-47 rifles, were reported to have accosted the Sienna bus conveying the travellers, at about 11 pm at the Omi Alafa Village in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area and dragged the victims into the forest.

According Online gathered that the five corps members, consisting of four females, and one male, were on their way from Enugu State, where they had undergone the mandatory orientation camp of the National Youth Service Corps.