Edo State law enforcement officers successfully freed a cattle trader named Peter Balogun from his captors during a strategic mission. CSP Eno Ikoedem, the police spokesperson, confirmed that Balogun had been seized by unknown assailants on July 7, 2026, while traveling near the Igarra–Auchi Expressway.
The operation to locate and save the victim spanned several days, concluding on July 15. Teams from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit, and the Police Drone Unit collaborated on the rescue effort. The breakthrough occurred within the Imoga Forest, where police utilized aerial surveillance to flush out the criminals.
According to reports, the kidnappers fled into the dense brush after spotting a police helicopter. Balogun recounted that the persistent presence of aerial patrols caused his captors to panic, forcing them to desert him before they escaped. Following his rescue, Balogun has been returned to his relatives, and police are currently pursuing the remaining suspects.
