Police arrest 55 suspected kidnappers, rescue 58 victims in Edo

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The Edo State Police Command on Tuesday said it arrested 55 suspected kidnappers and rescued 58 victims between March and May 2026 as part of intensified operations against violent crimes across the state.

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The Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, disclosed this while presenting the operational scorecard of the command at a press briefing in Benin City.

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Agbonika said the command also arrested 15 suspected cultists, eight armed robbery suspects, 15 murder suspects, three persons linked to unlawful possession of firearms, and 23 suspects connected to rape and defilement cases.

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According to him, the command had intensified the deployment of drones, digital tracking systems, surveillance gadgets and intelligence-led operations to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes, particularly in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts.

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He cited the recent rescue of Ezighode Ebosele and her 14-year-old son, Wisdom, who were abducted on May 1 at Udoni Quarters, Irrua, in Edo Central.

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The police commissioner said operatives deployed aerial surveillance technology and technical intelligence to rescue the victims unhurt and arrest the alleged kingpin, Yusuf Hassan, popularly known as “Dogo Yellow,” alongside nine other gang members.

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According to him, investigations revealed that the syndicate operated a well-structured criminal network involving informants, food suppliers, ransom negotiators and armed enforcers.

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Agbonika added that the alleged kingpin was arrested at a hideout near Ubiaja, which had since been demolished and confiscated by the Edo State Government under the state’s anti-kidnapping law.

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“In the period under review, 55 suspected kidnappers were arrested and 58 victims rescued between March and May 2026,” he said.

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The CP further disclosed that operatives foiled another kidnap attempt on May 8 along the Benin-Akure Road between Ozoguo and Obazuwa communities.

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He said police operatives, supported by military personnel, engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel and rescued two victims, Okarewagba Benth and his wife, Ruth, unhurt.

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“Bush combing operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” he added.

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Agbonika said the command also recovered two AK-47 rifles, six pump-action guns, seven locally-made firearms, 13 cartridges and other ammunition during the operations.

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The CP, however, expressed concern over the rising cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the state.

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“Within the last two months alone, the command has arrested over 23 suspects linked to rape, defilement and other SGBV-related offences.

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“This trend is painful, unacceptable and deeply concerning,” he said.

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He assured residents that the command would sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements and continue strengthening tactical capacity and investigative professionalism across the state.

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Meanwhile, the command has launched a new tactical outfit, the Violent Crime Response Unit, to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes across Edo State.

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Agbonika described the unit as a specialised intelligence-driven squad established to combat organised violent crimes with professionalism and accountability.

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He said the VCRU was created in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to strengthen operational response against emerging security threats nationwide.

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