Police arrest 13 suspects, r£scue three ∆bducted v!ctims in Edo
Police arrest 13 suspects, rescue three abducted victims in Edo
The Edo State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects for kidnapping and vandalism and rescued three abducted victims during separate security operations across the state.
The command disclosed this in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, who said the successes followed targeted intelligence, swift response and coordinated bush-combing operations in Esan West and Owan West Local Government Areas.
She explained that the operations were part of sustained security measures ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, to dismantle criminal networks and deny offenders safe haven.
According to the statement, on Monday, January 26, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., police operatives in Ekpoma acted on credible intelligence regarding the vandalism of a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited pipeline at Uhiele Community.
“Operatives of Ekpoma Division immediately mobilised to the location and successfully arrested five suspects in connection with the act,” the statement said.
The police added that an excavator allegedly used to damage the pipeline was recovered, while efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspects who fled the scene and recover pipes already carted away.
The command further disclosed that on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at about 3:30 a.m., a coordinated bush-combing operation was carried out in the Idoha/Ewu Forest and other identified hideouts.
The operation, which involved tactical teams of the command, the drone unit, the Edo State Security Corps, hunters and vigilante members, led to the discovery of three tents suspected to be kidnappers’ camps.
“This resulted in the arrest of eight suspects and the recovery of five mobile phones suspected to belong to kidnapped victims,” the statement noted, adding that investigations were ongoing to uncover other members of the syndicate.
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m., the police said a distress call was received from Egoro Amende Community, Ekpoma, reporting the abduction of a farmer and his two wives from their farm in a remote area.
The Divisional Police Officer of Ekpoma Division was said to have led a joint rescue team comprising police personnel, soldiers, the Edo State Security Corps, vigilantes, hunters and community youths to the area.
“Upon sighting the advancing security operatives, the kidnappers abandoned the victims and fled,” the police said.
The three victims were rescued unhurt, while items recovered at the scene included cutlasses, a solar panel, torch, canvas, rope, palm oil and a face cap.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and safeguarding critical infrastructure across Edo State. It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the police with timely and credible information to aid proactive policing.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the command also arrested at least 14 suspects over alleged cult-related activities involving the hijacking of a corpse and attacks on commercial motorcyclists in the state.
