Police have announced the successful rescue of a cattle dealer, Peter Balogun, popularly known as Oga Peter, who was kidnapped along the Igarra-Auchi Expressway in Edo State, South-South Nigeria on the 7th of July, 2026.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the rescue followed days of sustained, intelligence-led operations involving security personnel on the ground, drone surveillance and aerial support.
The Command recalled that after the kidnap incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika directed the deployment of a reinforcement team led by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Innocent Nkeamatara. The team included operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit and the Police Drone Unit, while the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, approved the deployment of a Police helicopter from Abuja to strengthen the rescue mission.
According to the statement, the breakthrough came during intensified clearance operations in the Imoga Forest and adjoining areas on July 15. Faced with sustained pressure from advancing security teams, continuous drone surveillance, and repeated helicopter patrols, the kidnappers abandoned their captive and fled deeper into the forest.
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The rescued victim during preliminary debriefing told investigators that the overwhelming presence of security operatives and persistent helicopter patrols created panic among his kidnappers, forcing them to flee. He has since received medical attention and has been safely reunited with his family.
While describing the rescue as a major operational success, the Commissioner of Police has directed that the ongoing operation be extended to other identified forests and criminal hideouts across Edo State to dismantle kidnapping camps, recover illegal arms and apprehend fleeing suspects.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
