The police force in Edo State has successfully arrested 12 suspects, rescued victims, and seized firearms during extensive anti-kidnapping initiatives.
On Monday, the police command in Edo reported that its personnel, conducted an operation driven by intelligence that culminated in the capture of four alleged kidnappers in the Ekpoma area of Esan West Local Government.
Eno Ikoedem, the spokesperson for the Edo State Police, confirmed that those apprehended included Mohammed Lawal, 62; Ashiru Ibrahim, 35; Abubakar Umoru, 30; and Umoru Ali, 35. It was also mentioned that additional accomplices managed to escape into nearby forests, armed.
The operation occurred on Sunday, January 25, 2026, and involved a well- coordinated drone-supported search led by CSP Solomon Oseghale, encompassing police tactical units, the drone division, Edo State Security Corps, local hunters, and vigilante groups in the Era/Idoha forest region of Ekpoma.
Recovered items from the operation included two homemade dane guns and four mobile devices. The arrested suspects are set to face charges following the conclusion of ongoing investigations.
In further operations aimed at curbing criminal activities and enhancing public safety, police operatives, guided by CSP Sunday Ehimare, in collaboration with hunters and vigilante groups, executed a thorough sweep along the Benin–Lagos Expressway near Ohosu over the weekend.
This operation was based on credible intelligence concerning gatherings of suspected criminals in the forest. Upon encountering security forces, the suspects opened fire, leading to a significant exchange where the police responded with greater firepower, forcing the suspects to retreat into the forest.
During this exchange, a fleeing suspect abandoned an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition, which was subsequently recovered by the police. Ongoing bush-combing operations are set to continue in the area to pursue the escaping suspects and deter any regrouping.
Additionally, in another incident in Okpella, a farmer named Monday Adero, 58, who was abducted on January 22, 2026, was rescued during a coordinated effort involving the police, local hunters, and vigilante groups.
In an operation conducted at Uluoke in the forest, a firefight erupted between the kidnappers and the armed rescuers. The superior firepower from the security forces compelled the captors to flee, with at least one sustaining injuries.
The rescued victim was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Based on intelligence and tracking, the police later apprehended the injured suspect, identified as Gehi Ibrahim, 24, who is now in custody set for prosecution.
On the night of January 23, 2026, another incident occurred when three individuals were kidnapped from Dr. Akerenobo Quarters, Emaudo, Ekpoma. Upon receiving the distress signal, the police swiftly collaborated with the Nigeria Army, Edo State Security Corps, and other security partners, under the leadership of ACP Ibrahim Aliyu.
The victims, identified as Odion Isideh, Mrs. Isideh, and Mercy Isideh, were successfully rescued uninjured after intensive bush operations that forced the assailants to flee. Efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend the suspects who escaped.
Furthermore, an operation executed in the Idoha Pipeline Community led to the arrest of a suspected kidnapper, Rabiu Mohammed Bello, 31, following reports of suspicious armed herders sighting in the area. Other suspects reportedly fled with their livestock and weapons. The arrested individual is under investigation and will be charged after an in-depth inquiry.
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