The Edo State Police Command has apprehended six suspected kidnappers and recovered cash believed to be proceeds from their criminal activities.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, confirmed the arrests and the seizure of arms and ammunition over the past 48 hours.
According to Yamu, the operations were carried out in Edo North, a region that has recently witnessed a surge in violent kidnappings and killings.
Details of the Arrests and Recoveries
On March 16, 2024, at approximately 04:30 AM, officers from the Agbede Police Division, in collaboration with local vigilantes, conducted a stop-and-search operation at Aviele, along Abumere by Power Line.
During the operation, three suspects were arrested:
Jamilu Idris (20 years)
Usman Shuaibu (24 years)
Yahuza Usman (20 years)
A search of the suspects led to the recovery of:
One English-made Beretta pistol
One dagger
An Infinix phone
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a syndicate involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, and motorcycle theft in the region.
The police also made another breakthrough on March 16, 2025, at around 10:10 PM, when officers from the Auchi Division, in partnership with local vigilantes, intercepted two young men at UBA Junction, Auchi.
Upon sighting the police, the suspects attempted to flee but were pursued. One of them, identified as Adamu Usman, a resident of Hausa Quarters, was apprehended, while his accomplice escaped.
An on-the-spot search led to the recovery of:
₦1,345,100 suspected to be ransom money
Five micro SIM cards
One machete
One dagger
Two mobile phones
A pack of cigarettes
Further investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects:
Iliyasu Abubakar (19 years)
Safiyanu Mohammed (20 years)
One of the SIM cards recovered was traced to Ajibola Sunday, a resident of Igbirra Camp in Auchi. Upon being invited to the station, Sunday identified the suspects as members of the eight-man gang that kidnapped him and his mother-in-law on March 11, 2025. Their relatives had to pay a ransom of ₦10 million for their release.
Police Assure Public of Continued Efforts
The Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property while bringing criminals to justice. She assured residents that security forces would intensify efforts to dismantle kidnapping syndicates in the state.
