Edo Police Secures The Release Of Abducted Cattle Dealer, ‘Oga Peter 

Edo Police Secures The Release Of Abducted Cattle Dealer, ‘Oga Peter

The Edo State Police Command has rescued an abducted cattle dealer, Peter Balogun, popularly known as “Oga Peter,” after an intensive joint forest operation.

Recall that Balogun was kidnapped on July 7, 2026, along the Igarra–Auchi Expressway.

In a statement by the PPRO,ASP Eno Ikoedem,following his abduction, Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, pledged a full rescue operation and deployed tactical teams to the area.

According to her, Assistant Commissioner of Police Innocent Nkeamatara led the reinforcement team, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit, and Police Drone Unit.

She stated that the Inspector-General of Police also deployed a Police helicopter from Abuja for aerial surveillance and support.

However, the breakthrough came Wednesday, July 15, 2026, during clearance operations in Imoga Forest, according to a statement released by the police command

According to her, the sustained ground pressure, drone surveillance, and repeated helicopter patrols forced the kidnappers to abandon Balogun and flee.

Speaking, the victim told police the heavy security presence and aerial patrols created panic among his captors.

Commissioner Agbonika has ordered the clearance operation expanded to all identified forests and criminal hideouts in the state, to dismantle kidnapping camps and arrest gang members.

He commended the Police Air Wing, Army, Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters for their role in the rescue, and urged residents to keep providing credible information.

ASP Eno Ikoedem, Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the rescue in a release on Friday.