Vigilante rescues 12-year-old abducted girl in Edo, retired teacher still being held

Operatives of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, in collaboration with local hunters, have rescued a 12-year-old girl abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers in the Ayogwiri community of Etsako West Local Government Area of the State.

Recall that the minor, identified as Blessing Anani, was abducted on 10 October 2025 while returning from the farm in the company of her mother and other women.

ESSC Deputy Corps Commander (Operations) Richard Balogun, who disclosed the rescue of the minor in Benin City, said one suspect had been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.


Balogun stated that the victim was rescued from a forest in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of the State, thwarting the abductors’ efforts to ferry her across the River Niger to Idah in Kogi State.

“Shortly after the abduction the vigilantes mobilize for bush combing with a view to rescue the victim unhurt.

“During the bush combing the Corps got intelligence that the kidnapped victim has been relocated to a forest in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area of the State with a view to taking her through the River Niger to Idah in Kogi State.

“The armed security operatives got wind of the location where the victim was kept, and stormed the place and rescued the young girl unhurt and arrested one principal suspect,” he said.

However, in an interview, the arrested suspect, who did not disclose his name, alleged that they had been commissioned by a resident in Ayogwiri to kidnap a wealthy man in the community.

He said the informant told them that the man was rich, had a house and car, but they were unable to kidnap him; hence the abduction of the 12-year-old girl.