The three kidnapped traditional worshipers are freed by Edo police.

 

In the state capital of Benin, the Edo State Police Command reported on Tuesday that it had apprehended a female murder suspect and freed three kidnapped victims.

The rescued victims were traditional worshippers who were kidnapped on July 25, 2022, according to a statement by the command's deputy public relations officer, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu. Favour Oyhou, the murder suspect, was apprehended in Benin. After allegedly stabbing her partner, Paul Handsome, she left Auchi.

The statement said, in part, "On July 25, 2022, at around 1 pm, three kidnapped traditional worshippers were rescued by the Edo State Police Command in its reinvigorated struggle to curb the increasing spike in violent crimes in the state, including kidnapping."

Three traditional worshippers who had gone to a river along the Benin-Abraka Road for prayers were accosted and taken into the bush by armed men, according to a report received by the Command through its Divisional Headquarters at Ugo.

The Divisional Police Officer, Ugo, promptly dispatched his team to the area after learning of the incident in order to pursue the criminals and maybe save the victims. When the criminals realised the police were pursuing them, they were forced to leave their victims and run into the bush.

Intense bush scouring is still going on to neutralise or apprehend the hoodlums, but the victims have since been reunited with their families, according to the statement.

The Deputy PPRO provided the following information about the murder suspect: "Sequel to the incident of July 23, 2022, at approximately 7:30 pm in Auchi, Edo State, where one Paul Handsome (25 years) was reported to have been stabbed to death by his girlfriend, one Favour Oyhou, who fled, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, immediately ordered the Area Commander and Divisional Police Officer in charge of Auchi to smoke out the fleeing girl unharmed

"On July 25, 2022, at about 10:45 p.m., the suspect was taken into custody in Benin as a result of the Command's men's reliable information collection.

The statement said, "Discreet investigation has started, the suspect is providing helpful information, and he will be charged to court shortly."