Edo Police Command arrests eight suspected kidnappers, rescues man, two wives
The Edo State Police Command has arrested eight suspected kidnappers and rescued abducted victims in the university community of Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of the state.
The command spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, yesterday, confirmed the arrest of the suspects in bush combing exercise.
According to the command on Wednesday, 28th January, 2026, at about 3:30 a.m., a coordinated bush-combing operation was carried out in Idoha/Ewu Forest and other identified hideouts, in line with the directives of the Commissioner of Police.
The operation comprised of command tactical teams, drone unit, Edo State Security Corps, hunters, and vigilante members. Three tents suspected to be kidnappers’ camps were discovered during the exercise, leading to the arrest of eight suspects – Jokoro Sali ‘M’, aged 52 years; Buhari Ibrahim ‘M’, aged 32 years; Isah Abubakar ‘M’, aged 35 years; Shehu Ibrahim ‘M’, aged 25 years; Abdullahi Samar ‘M’, aged 18 years; Ibrahim Shaibu ‘M’, aged 19 years; Mohammed Joro ‘M’, aged 22 years; and Suleiman Sunana ‘M’, aged 35 years.
Items recovered from them include, five mobile phones suspected to belong to Kidnapped victims. Investigation is currently ongoing to uncover the rest of the syndicate.
In another feat recorded by command, operatives on Thursday, 29th January, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m., in a swift response to a distress call from Egoro Amende Community, Ekpoma, went after kidnappers who had just abducted a farmer and his two wives – identified as Abraham Udewa ‘m’, Brinda Abraham ‘f’, and Anna Abraham ‘f’, all from Benue State – from their farm in a remote area of the community.
The Divisional Police Officer, Ekpoma Division, was said to have promptly led a joint rescue team comprising police personnel, soldiers, Edo State Security Corps, local vigilantes, hunters, and some community youths who are volunteers of Community Safety Partnership programme to carry out a diligent search across Egoro Amende Forest, Igbira Farm Settlement, and Ekeke Erah Forest in Owan East Local Government Area.
“Upon sighting the advancing security operatives, the kidnappers abandoned the victims and fled. The victims were rescued unhurt. Items recovered include cutlasses, a solar panel, torch, canvas, rope, palm oil, and a face cap. Continuous monitoring and follow-up bush-combing operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” ASP Ikoedem said.
“These successes are part of sustained security measures ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, to disrupt criminal networks and deny offenders safe haven across the State.
“The Edo State Police Command remains resolute in its duty to safeguard lives, protect critical infrastructures, and dismantle organised criminal networks within the state. Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and continue to partner with the Police by providing timely and credible information that will aid proactive policing,” she added.
