Criminal Networks Crumbling In Edo As Strategy Shifts To Targeting Networks, Insiders, Receivers, Collaborators

By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

The developments also point to an emerging strategy, rather than merely arresting foot soldiers, security agencies are now targeting the networks, insiders, receivers and collaborators who sustain criminal activities.

The past week has offered fresh evidence that the security architecture in Edo State may be moving from reactive policing to a more coordinated, intelligence-driven campaign against kidnapping, cultism, vandalism and other violent crimes.

Across the state, security agencies recorded significant breakthroughs between July 12 and 17, 2026, ranging from the rescue of abducted students and a cattle dealer to the recovery of stolen telecommunications equipment, arrests of suspected cultists and the surrender of a firearm by a repentant cult member.

The developments also point to an emerging strategy, rather than merely arresting foot soldiers, security agencies are now targeting the networks, insiders, receivers and collaborators who sustain criminal activities.

The most dramatic operation occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, July 14, after three students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, were abducted at Ujemen G.T. Extension, Ekpoma, the administrative headquarters of Esan Central local government area of Edo State.

The incident claimed the life of 24-year-old Peter Ekpen Adolor, a 300-Level student who was shot in the abdomen after responding to a distress scream outside a hostel gate.

According to the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, immediately ordered a joint rescue operation involving the police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Security Corps and local hunters.

The operation, Alltimepost.com gathered resulted in a fierce gun battle at the kidnappers’ hideout in Erah Forest. The pressure forced the criminals to abandon the three students, Favour Okoroje, 21, Balogun Precious, 19, and Praise Obagbalu, 18, and flee.

Three AK-47 rifles, magazines, 36 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five mobile phones and other items were reportedly recovered. One suspected kidnapper was neutralized, while another was arrested with serious gunshot injuries.

Two days later, on Wednesday, July 15, another major breakthrough was recorded when police rescued cattle dealer Peter Balogun, popularly known as “Oga Peter”, who was kidnapped on July 7 along the Igarra-Auchi Expressway.

The rescue operation, coordinated by CP Agbonika, involved the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Violent Crime Response Unit and Police Drone Unit.

The operation received additional aerial support following the deployment of a police helicopter by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The police said sustained ground operations, drone surveillance and helicopter patrols mounted pressure on the kidnappers in the Imoga Forest and adjoining areas.

The abductors reportedly abandoned their victim after sighting the helicopter and fled deeper into the forest.

Alltimepost.com checks revealed that the onslaught is significant because it demonstrates the growing importance of technology in the fight against kidnapping. Drones provide persistent surveillance, while helicopters can disrupt criminal hideouts that were previously considered inaccessible.

The Nigerian proverb, “The eye that sees the forest cannot be deceived by the leaves,” aptly captures the emerging strategy, criminals may hide in the forest, but technology is strategically making concealment difficult.

While the police intensified the anti-kidnapping offensive, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), under the leadership of Edo State Commandant, Akintayo Saidi Ayinla, recorded a major breakthrough against telecommunications vandalism.

Following the reported theft of eight lithium batteries from an IHS telecommunications facility identified as IHS-EDO0769A, the NSCDC’s Critical National Assets and Infrastructure Department worked with its Intelligence and Investigation Department to trace the criminal network.

The operation led to the arrest of an alleged syndicate leader identified as Engineer Yusuf from Okada, an alleged insider and suspected receivers of stolen telecommunications equipment.

The eight stolen lithium batteries, each reportedly worth more than ₦2 million, were recovered from a secluded location.

The importance of the operation lies beyond the recovery of the batteries. The NSCDC is now attempting to dismantle the market that makes infrastructure theft profitable by pursuing vandals, insiders, buyers and receivers.

The development is a reminder that “When the root of a tree is destroyed, the branches will wither.” If the financiers and receivers of stolen infrastructure are successfully prosecuted, the supply chain supporting vandalism could suffer a major blow.

The NSCDC also foiled pipeline vandalism operation in Obazagbon, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area.

Operatives of the Anti-Vandal Unit, working with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Pipeline Security and Surveillance, encountered suspected vandals during a routine patrol along the NNPC pipeline corridor.

The suspects allegedly opened fire before fleeing into the bush, abandoning five long gas cylinders, two motorcycles, two shovels and two digger heads.

Commandant Ayinla said the fleeing suspects and their sponsors remained targets of the ongoing investigation.

The incident reinforces the need for sustained surveillance of critical infrastructure, particularly in remote areas where vandals often exploit difficult terrain.

During the week the state’s anti-cultism campaign also recorded an unusual development in Esan West Local Government Area.

According to the Edo State Security Corps Zonal Commander, Joel Aidamebor, a 29-year-old aspiring musician renounced cultism and surrendered a Beretta pistol after receiving counselling from the acting Chairman of Esan West LGA, Hon. Blessing Ebhodaghe.

The firearm was subsequently handed over to the police in Benin City.

Alltimepost.com gathered that the crackdown alone may not be sufficient to defeat cultism. Community engagement, youth counselling and opportunities for rehabilitation could also play a role in preventing young people from joining criminal groups.

At the same time, the Edo State Special Security Squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, recently arrested 12 suspected cultists during a raid on a reported drug and cultism hideout at Uzebu Quarters, Asoro Hill, along Ekenwan Road in Oredo Local Government Area.

The suspects were reportedly handed over to the police for investigation and possible prosecution.

The battle against kidnapping has also moved into the courtroom.

The trial of four defendants accused of involvement in the June 14 kidnapping at the popular Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City, commenced before the Special Criminal Court 1, recently inaugurated in Benin City.

The defendants, Marvelous Isaac, 32, Wisdom Michael, 36, Rufus Emete Michael, 30, and Gift Raphael, 27, face an 11-count charge involving alleged kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and unlawful possession of firearms.

Five prosecution witnesses testified, with victims identifying all the defendants and recounting experiences involving kidnapping and multimillion-naira ransom payments.

The trial will be closely monitored because successful prosecution is an important part of the security chain. Globally, arrests without diligent prosecutions and convictions weaken public confidence and allow criminal networks to regenerate.

As the Nigerian proverb says, “The lizard that ruined its mother’s house should not expect to inherit the new one.” Criminals who destroy the peace and security of communities must ultimately face justice if the rule of law is to prevail.

The week’s operations reveal an unusual, coordinated security response involving the police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Security Corps (NSCDC), local hunters and community leaders.

Alltimepost.com was informed that the public strongly believes that the deployment of helicopters and drones, intelligence-led investigations, forest clearance operations and the targeting of criminal receivers indicate that security agencies are gradually broadening their approach to tackling crime.

The Nigerian proverb, “A single broomstick cannot sweep the floor,” captures the central lesson of the week’s developments. No single agency can defeat kidnapping, cultism and vandalism alone. The successes recorded came largely from collaboration among security agencies, government officials, local hunters, communities and members of the public.

For Edo residents, the immediate task is to sustain the momentum. Forests must remain under pressure, criminal hideouts must be dismantled, intelligence networks must be strengthened, and the prosecution of suspects must be pursued to its logical conclusion.

The latest breakthroughs provide a measure of relief. But the real test will be whether the pressure can be sustained long enough to make kidnapping, cultism and vandalism increasingly difficult and unprofitable.