Police Deny Claims by Activist Over Rescue of Kidnap Victim, Aisha Wahab

The Edo State Police Command has refuted allegations made by human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu regarding the rescue of a kidnap victim, Aisha Wahab, whose abduction in Auchi recently went viral on social media.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Command said it became aware of the viral video showing Aisha in captivity and immediately swung into action under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc.

According to the statement, police investigations revealed through the victim’s mother, Mrs Abdul Wahab, that Aisha had been kidnapped six days earlier near their residence at the outskirts of Igbira Camp, Auchi. The incident, however, had not been reported to the police until after the video surfaced online.

Acting on intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Auchi Division reportedly obtained the kidnappers’ contact number, which was linked to Aisha’s phone, and deployed technical means to trace their location.

The statement added that the kidnappers, realising they were being tracked, changed location and eventually released Aisha, who was later taken to the hospital and confirmed safe. Aisha reportedly told investigators that the kidnappers destroyed her phone when they suspected it was exposing their whereabouts.

The Command also dismissed claims by certain bloggers and activists that they attempted to reach the Commissioner of Police without success. “These claims are false, misleading, and deceitful,” the police said. “At no time did the Command receive such contact, nor did any civilian collaborate with the Police in the rescue operation.”

The Edo Police Command warned against attempts to misinform the public and undermine confidence in law enforcement, emphasising that all actions taken in the case were properly documented and available for verification.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, activist Harrison Gwamnishu of the Safe City Volunteer Foundation maintained that his team had been involved in efforts to secure Aisha’s release but faced a lack of cooperation from the Edo State Government and security agencies.

Gwamnishu said Aisha was kidnapped at Igbira Camp and later released in Okpella, a considerable distance she was allegedly forced to trek with her abductors. He lamented the absence of official support, claiming that several calls to the Commissioner of Police and the state authorities went unanswered.

“We’ve had to withdraw and return to our own base, a State where we have full support from the Police, Military, and Government to operate effectively,” Gwamnishu said.

He called for stronger collaboration between citizens, government, and security agencies to combat kidnapping and other crimes. “Security requires partnership. We are ready to assist, but we cannot do it alone,” he added.