Troops rescue victims held against their wish in Edo

Operatives of 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Benin, Edo State, have successfully rescued some victims who had been held against their wish for two years now.

This follows the raiding of a building in First Bank Estate, Awesome Garden, located along Benin-Sapele Bypass, where 31 suspected criminals were arrested.

The Brigade Commander, Brig-Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo, led the operation on Monday, after a credible intelligence on the activities of a notorious fraud syndicate operating from the location.

According to a statement by the Brigade’s Public Relations Officer, Capt. Chinonso Oteh, the suspects were allegedly involving in cybercrime, kidnapping, robbery, and other criminal activities.

He, however, said that many of the victims were lured there with false employment opportunities.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that some of the suspects had been lured into the compound by one Mr. Marvin Osabunye, who is currently on the run, under the false promise of employment opportunities.

“Many of them ended up trapped in the building for one to two years without freedom of movement,” Oteh said.

The Army’s Spokesman disclosed that the suspects and victims, along with all recovered items, had been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Benin Directorate Office, for further investigation and prosecution.

“This is a significant breakthrough and part of our ongoing efforts to rid Edo State of all forms of criminality,” he said.

Items recovered at the scene include a Toyota vehicle, smartphones, laptops, cash, fetish materials, and a pot of shrine believed to be used for ritual purposes.

The Brigade Commander commended the troops and collaborating security agencies for the successful operation.