A 70-year-old farmer, Jonah Owobu, was rescued by security operatives in Edo State after being kidnapped from his farm on April 20, 2026. The operation involved a joint team of police, military personnel, local hunters, and members of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC). Owobu, a native of Uwalo Oke, Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area, was abducted while returning from his farm. His wife reported his disappearance to the Amedokhian Divisional Police Headquarters the following day. At about 9:30 p.m. on April 20, the family received a call from unknown individuals demanding N30 million for his release.
The Amedokhian Divisional Police Officer immediately launched a search-and-rescue mission. During the operation, operatives recovered Owobu's abandoned motorcycle and personal belongings along a forest route, which led them to the kidnappers' hideout. Upon sighting the advancing team, the suspects fled into the bush, leaving Owobu behind. He was rescued unhurt and has been reunited with his family. ASP Eno Ikoedem, the command's spokesperson, confirmed the rescue in a statement released on Saturday, April 25, 2026. She said bush clearing and a manhunt for the suspects are ongoing. Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika reaffirmed the command's commitment to curbing kidnapping and urged the public to provide timely information.
⚖️ NaijaBuzz is an AI-assisted news aggregator. This content is curated from third-party sources — NaijaBuzz is not the original publisher and is not responsible for the accuracy of source reporting. The NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion only, not established fact. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction. NaijaBuzz does not endorse the views expressed in source articles.
