Police rescue pregnant widow, sister-in-law of man killed by kidnappers in Edo

The Edo State Police Command has announced the rescue of Mrs. Esther Friday, the pregnant widow of Mr. Friday Pius, and her sister-in-law, Joy Iregbeyen, days after they were abducted by suspected kidnappers who killed Pius during a home invasion in Uluoke community, Etsako West Local Government Area.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed in a statement issued Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Benin City that the two women were rescued late Friday, April 18, at about 9:15 p.m. by operatives from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Iyamho, working in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters.

Yamu explained that intense pressure mounted by the security team forced the kidnappers to abandon the hostages and flee.

However, in a final act of violence, the kidnappers shot one of the women in the leg before escaping.

She is currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital and is reported to be responding well.

According to the police, the rescue operation was a swift response to the attack reported on Monday, April 14, when the assailants stormed the home of the Pius family between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., fatally shooting Mr. Pius and abducting his pregnant wife and her sister.

“The Edo State Police Command has rescued another two kidnapped victims on 18/04/2025 at about 2115hrs, demonstrating its commitment to tackle criminality in the State,” Yamu stated. ”

The resilience and determination of the operatives led to the successful rescue of Esther Friday, 32, and Joy Iregbeyen, 23, who were abandoned by the kidnappers due to sustained pressure from our teams.”

The killing and abduction had earlier sparked protests in the Uluoke community, where women took to the streets on Thursday, April 17, demanding urgent government and security intervention.

The protesters decried the worsening insecurity in the area and mourned the late Friday Pius, a father of three.

The Police Command reiterated its resolve to track down the fleeing kidnappers and bring them to justice, urging the public to provide any useful information that could aid the ongoing investigation.