Security operatives rescue 59-year-old abducted farmer in Edo

A 59-year-old farmer identified as Aminu Yusuf has been rescued from a kidnapper’s den by operatives of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC.

DAILY POST gathered that the victim was reportedly abducted on his way to the farm in the Iddo area of Okpella community, Etsako East Local Government of the State by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

The Edo State Security outfit’s Deputy Commander, in charge of Operations, Richard Balogun, who confirmed the incident commended the operatives for the rescue.

“The kidnappers inflicted machete cuts on the victim, it was in the process that my men stormed the bush and rescued him. He is at the hospital receiving treatment” he said.

It was learnt that the abductors after a few hours of kidnapping, the victim contacted his family demanding a ransom of N20 million.

The abductors, were alleged to have given the victim’s family 24 hours ultimatum to pay the ransom or have him slaughtered, the head severed and dumped by the roadside.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that the family members were making efforts to raise the money when the kidnappers started inflicting machete cuts on the victim starting from the hand.

He alleged the action of the kidnappers was to pressure him to pay the ransom before the deadline of the ultimatum.

He added that operatives of the Edo State Security Corps, however, rescued the victim while at the process of being killed by kidnappers.

The source said operatives in collaboration with the local hunters rescued the victim during bush combing.

He said the kidnappers abandoned the victim during a gun duel with the operatives in the forest during the rescue operations, assuring that he has been rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving treatment.