Nehikhare, who addressed a news conference yesterday at the state secretariat complex in Benin, said in collaboration with security agencies, vigilance group members and hunters, the remaining victims would soon regain their freedom.
He said: “From intelligence available to us now, we discovered that the kidnappers took 20 hostages and not 31 as we previously thought. But we have rescued seven, while 13 remain with them.
“The operation is still ongoing, and we are confident that very soon, the ordeal will end. We are making progress. The government’s policy of see something, say something is very important, and it is working very well. The identities of our informants are safe.
“Any landlord who allows his/her facility to be used to keep or murder victims will be an accessory to murder, and will be charged with to court. The rule worked for us in the past, especially when it happened in Edo North last year, and the Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, had to remind the traditional rulers, community and village heads of the same rule…”
Commissioner of Police in charge of the Railway Command, Yetunde Longe, said efforts were on by the police and other security agencies, to rescue the remaining victims.