A 12-year-old girl was hit to death by bullets during a fierce gun battle between police operatives of Edo State Command and suspected kidnappers along the Obe Hill by pipeline leading to Ajaokuta.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen by the Edo State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Moses Yamu.
Yamu, in the statement said 14 persons were rescued from the suspected kidnappers during the shootout.
According to him, the police got a distress call that some armed men were terrorising Fugar-Agenebode Road, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, which, according to him, they quickly responded to save the day.
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“On 11/07/2025 at about 1920hrs, upon receiving a distress call that armed men blocked the Fugar-Agenebode road, Etsako East Local Government Area, the Command immediately mobilised a combined team of police operatives from Agenebode, local vigilantes, and hunters who responded swiftly and pursued the assailants into the forest.
“During the encounter, a gun duel ensued along Obe Hill by pipeline leading to Ajaokuta, the security team successfully rescued fourteen (14) kidnapped passengers alive.
“Unfortunately, a 12-year-old girl was fatally shot by the fleeing kidnappers during the crossfire.
“One female victim is still unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing to ensure her safe rescue.
“This follows the report that armed men suspected to be kidnappers ambushed and blocked the highway, opened fire on unsuspecting commuters, killing two persons on the spot and abducting others in a brazen act of violence”, Yamu said.
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According to the police image maker, the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the bravery and swift response of the combined security team, adding that the CP assured the public that everything possible will be done to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The Police Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the command, extended his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased, just as assured the general public that operations in the area will be intensified.
He said that additional deployments have been made to prevent further attacks and track down the fleeing criminals.
He appealed to the members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and continue to provide timely information that can aid ongoing investigations and security operations in the area and in the state.