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There were tears and wailing in Utesi Community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State, as operatives of the Edo State Police Command recovered the decomposing body of a 42-year-old kidnapping victim, Edafe Oghenekome, weeks after his abduction.
Residents were thrown into mourning as the remains of a community member were brought out from the Igueladidi forest in Iguobazuwa, where his captors allegedly abandoned him.
Edafe was kidnapped alongside one Favour Ighasa from their residence at Utesi Village, after Udo Community, on February 4, 2026.
While Ighasa regained her freedom five days later, the abductors reportedly ceased communication regarding Oghenekome’s release, heightening anxiety among family members and residents.
Sources told our correspondent that the victim was allegedly shot dead after he identified one of his abductors, said to be a close acquaintance, whose mask accidentally fell off after collecting an undisclosed ransom.
“He recognised one of them. They said the mask fell off during his captivity and after ransom was collected. The person was someone he knew… someone close.
“He was full of life, we were negotiating, we were all praying, we did not know we were already planning his funeral.
“In this community everyone knows everyone, the tragedy has left more than sorrow, it has left fear,” a source said in hushed tones.
For the people of Utesi, however, justice may come but Edafe will not come back.
Confirming the development in a statement on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the gang responsible for the crime had been dismantled and their weapons recovered.
She said the breakthrough followed a firm directive by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, that all kidnapping cases must be thoroughly investigated and brought to a logical conclusion.
According to her, operatives arrested one Abdulsalam Mohammadu, 21, who allegedly confessed and provided information that led to the arrest of other gang members.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of Kehinde Adetunji, 45, identified as the local informant who acted as a pointer, and Nasiru Yau, 24, who supplied food to the gang while they kept the victims in the bush,” she said.
The police spokesperson added that the suspects confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping, ransom collection and the murder of Oghenekome.
She further disclosed that two AK-47 rifles with breach numbers 1686 and 2357, as well as three Dane guns, were recovered during the operation.
The Command said efforts had been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and assured residents that all those connected with the crime would be brought to justice.
It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible and timely information.
