Three students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, have been rescued within 48 hours after they were abducted by gunmen who attacked the university community on Sunday night.
The rescue operation was carried out by a joint team of security agencies, including the police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), and local hunters.
The attack, which occurred at Ujemen G.T. Extension, Ekpoma, also resulted in the death of a 300-level student of the university, Peter Ekpen Adolor, 24.
The Edo State Police Command said the incident was reported at the Ekpoma Divisional Police Office at about 9pm on Sunday.
According to the command’s spokesperson, ASP Edo Ikoedem, the attack began after a distress scream was heard outside a hostel gate. Adolor, who attempted to check what was happening, was shot in the abdomen by one of the attackers.
He was taken to Eguaven Hospital, Ekpoma, where he was confirmed dead.
“The attackers also abducted three persons, all students of Ambrose Alli University, before escaping into the nearby bush,” Ikoedem said while briefing journalists in Benin on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika.
She said the commissioner immediately ordered the deployment of tactical teams and officers from nearby police divisions, including the Ekpoma Division, to begin a rescue operation.
The security teams conducted intelligence-led operations and searched surrounding forests in an effort to locate the abducted students and track the attackers.
The operation succeeded in the early hours of Tuesday, July 14, 2026, when the team located the kidnappers’ hideout in Erah Forest.
Ikoedem said the security operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon their captives and escape.
The rescued students were identified as Favour Okoroje, 21; Balogun Precious, 19; and Praise Obagbalu, 18. They were taken to a hospital for medical attention.
The operation also led to the recovery of three AK-47 rifles with magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five mobile phones, two power banks, a red cross bag, and a charger.
The police said one suspected kidnapper was killed during the encounter, while another was arrested with serious gunshot injuries.
Ikoedem said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang, which she described as a group involved in kidnapping activities around Ekpoma and its surrounding areas.
The police command expressed regret over the death of Adolor and extended condolences to his family, the university community, and other affected persons.
Commissioner Agbonika also commended the security personnel involved in the rescue operation and thanked residents for providing information that assisted the operation.
