Police arrest 55 suspected kidnappers, rescue 58 victims in Edo

The Edo State Police Command on Tuesday showed it arrested 55 suspected kidnappers and brought to safety 58 victims between March and May 2026 as part of intensified operations against violent crimes across the state. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, this while presenting the operational scorecard of the command at a press briefing in Benin City. Agbonika showed 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. from 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.

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. The police commissioner showed 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. Based on him, investigations showed that the syndicate operated a well-structured criminal network involving informants, food suppliers, ransom negotiators and armed enforcers. the alleged kingpin was taken into custody at a hideout near Ubiaja, which had since been demolished and confiscated by the Edo State Government under the state’s anti-kidnapping law.

“In the period under review, 55 suspected kidnappers were arrested and 58 victims brought to safety between March and May 2026,”.

That operatives foiled another kidnap attempt on May 8 along the Benin-Akure Road between Ozoguo and Obazuwa communities. He showed police operatives, supported by military personnel, engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel and rescued two victims, Okarewagba Benth and his wife, Ruth, unhurt. “Bush combing operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,”. Agbonika showed the command also recovered two AK-47 rifles, six pump-action guns, seven locally-made firearms, 13 cartridges and other ammunition during the operations.