- Odibo Victory
The Edo state Police Command has said that it is making significant progress in the investigation into the abduction of a woman by suspected kidnappers in Benin, on Sunday.
According to reports the suspects were seen in a viral video showing the victim being dragged into a vehicle after her husband escaped from the abductors.
The incident reportedly happened at the popular ”Vegetable Market” area along the Airport road in the heart of the state capital.
ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, disclosed this on Monday while confirming the incident.
Ikoedem said that operatives of the command’s Anti-Violent Crime Unit and Anti-Kidnapping Unit were already on the trail of the suspects.
According to her, the victim was returning from church with members of her family when they stopped at the popular market where the abduction occurred.
Ikoedem said that substantial progress had been made in the investigation, though she did not disclose details for operational reasons.
The incident, which occurred in broad daylight, triggered panic among traders and residents after a video of the attack surfaced on social media.
In the viral footage, armed men dressed in vigilante-like attire were seen arriving in an unmarked Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
The suspects were seen walking up to another parked SUV occupied by the family and shooting one of its tyres.
They initially attempted to abduct the husband by dragging him toward their vehicle, but he managed to break free and escape.
The assailants then pursued his wife, who was also trying to flee, overpowered her and forcibly dragged her into their waiting vehicle before speeding away.
A voice in the background of the video was heard saying that the man had escaped while the woman had been taken away.
Meanwhile, Gov. Monday Okpebholo has condemned the incident, describing it as unacceptable and a direct attack on innocent residents.
The governor, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr Patrick Ebojele, directed the Commissioner of Police to commence a coordinated investigation aimed at securing the victim’s safe rescue and arresting those responsible.
“The Edo Government will not tolerate any act that threatens public safety and security or disturbs the peace of the state,” Ebojele quoted the governor as saying.
The governor also assured residents that security agencies were working round the clock to bring the perpetrators to justice and strengthen security across the state.