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Eleven suspected kidnappers and fourteen corpse snatchers have been arrested by the Police in Edo State in intelligence-driven operations over the past weekend.
During the operation, six kidnapped victims, including a couple, were rescued from Ekpoma, Okpella, and Ochodo communities.
According to the spokesperson of the command ASP Eno Ikoedem the operations were high-tech driven and carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, Edo State Security Corps, local hunters, and other partners.
Among the eleven kidnappers, Mohammed Lawal, 62, Ashiru Ibrahim ,35, Abubakar Umoru, 30, and Umoru Ali, 35, were apprehended during a drone-assisted bush-combing operation at the Era/Idoha forest axis in Ekpoma, Esan West local government area.
ASP Eno explained that in Okpella, Gehi Ibrahim, 24, was arrested after the rescue of a kidnapped farmer, Monday Adero, 58, of Iddo Quarters, while Rabiu Mohammed Bello, 31, was caught at Idoha Pipeline Community following reports of armed herders.
She stated further that Nura Ibrahim ,22, Suleiman Aruna, 23, Usman Abubakar, 30, Mohammed Abubakar, 32, and Isah Ibrahim, 27, were arrested during a rescue in Ewu Division, which secured a kidnapped couple in Ochodo Community.
Meanwhile, in Uromi, 14 suspected cultists described by police as corpse snatchers were arrested following a violent disturbance during a burial ceremony in which they allegedly hijacked a corpse and attacked residents.
The command stated that 11 cutlasses, a dagger, and a shovel were recovered as two victims, commercial motorcyclists, were injured and taken to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital for treatment.
She identified the suspected cultists as Promise Oyido, 18, Jude Usidebhosoh, 38, Mutairu Alhaji, 23, Samson Usidehofo, 40, Collins Esaigbe, 22, Osemudiamen Iyere, 26, Christian Akhare, 28, Evidence Osamare, 28, Joshua Augustine, 25, Kelvin Michael, 21, Goddey Anuka, 35, Blessed Ohue, 24, Joseph Okhun,27, and Charles Okhare, 34.
An AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition was reportedly recovered during operations along the Benin–Lagos Expressway near Ohosu after hoodlums opened fire on security operatives and fled into the bush.
According to the statement, other weapons recovered across the operations include two locally fabricated dane guns, eight rounds of 9mm ammunition, nine empty shells, and other dangerous weapons.
She said the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika commended the professionalism of operatives and security partners, noting that the deployment of drones had enhanced operational efficiency.
“The command urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance collective safety. The command remains reachable through our active lines…, ‘08077773721’ and ‘08037646272’, as well as our complaints lines, Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) ‘08150999335’ and Complaints Response Unit (CRU) ‘08100389992’.”
