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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police rescue kidnapped AAU students, kill one suspect

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Police in Edo State, Nigeria, rescued three Ambrose Alli University students who were kidnapped on July 12, 2026.
  • During the rescue operation, one suspect was killed and another arrested with gunshot wounds.
  • The operation recovered three AK-47 rifles and other items from the kidnappers' hideout.

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command successfully rescued three students from Ambrose Allis University, Ekpoma, who had been abducted on Sunday, July 12, 2026. The students were taken by gunmen in the Esan West Local Government Area.

On Sunday, 12th July, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m., the Divisional Police Officer of the Iruekpen Division received a distress report that armed men suspected to be kidnappers carried out an attack at Ujemen G.T. Extension, Ekpoma.

— Edo State PoliceReporting the initial distress call about the kidnapping.

During the attack, one student, 24-year-old Peter Ekpen Adolor, a 300-level undergraduate, was killed. The rescued students were identified as Praise Obagbalu, 18; Favour Okoroje, 21; and Balogun Precious, 19. The abduction occurred during an attack in the Ujemen G.T. Extension area of Ekpoma.

In the process, he was shot in the abdomen by one of the armed assailants. He was rushed to Eguaven Hospital, Ekpoma, where he was unfortunately confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

— Edo State PoliceDescribing the death of student Peter Ekpen Adolor during the attack.

Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika stated that upon receiving a distress report, tactical teams, along with the Nigerian Army, Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters, were deployed. The joint operation led to a fierce gun battle at the kidnappers’ hideout in Erah Forest on Tuesday. One suspected kidnapper was killed, and another was apprehended with gunshot injuries. The three abducted students were found unharmed.

The attackers also abducted three persons, all students of Ambrose Alli University, before escaping into the nearby bush.

— Edo State PoliceDetailing the abduction of the three students.

The police recovered three AK-47 rifles, three magazines, 36 rounds of ammunition, five mobile phones, two power banks, a charger, and a Red Cross bag. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region, with police emphasizing their commitment to combating criminal activities.

Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams and nearby police divisions, including Ekpoma Division, for a joint rescue mission in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) and local hunters.

— Edo State PoliceExplaining the immediate police response to the kidnapping.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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