A joint team of military and police operatives have rescued the abducted President of Igueben Customary Area Court of Appeal, in Edo State after a shootout with the kidnappers in which a police officer lost his life.
The magistrate, who was kidnapped on January 9, around Ugoneki axis, Uhumwonde Local Government Area of the state while on her way to work, also sustained gunshot injuries during the rescue operation.
The rescue operation was carried out by a combined team of military operatives and police special anti-kidnapping squad attached to the police headquarters in Benin City, at a place called scorpion heel, inside the forest where she was held captive.
It was gathered that in the process of rescuing the victim, there was an exchange of heavy gunfire between the police and the bandits which led to one of the gallant police officers paying the ultimate price.
The injured magistrate is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Confirming the report, spokesman of the Edo State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said she was rescued from the kidnappers’ den called “Scorpion Hill inside the forest” by a joint military-police team, adding that a policeman lost his life in the process.