Edo State Police Command has arrested 11 suspected kidnappers and rescued six victims during a series of coordinated operations across the state.
The arrests were made after bush-combing exercises were conducted in different forest areas, following credible intelligence.
The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Monday.
She said the operations involved police tactical teams, hunters, vigilante groups, and other security partners.
In one of the operations on Saturday, January 24, 2026, police operatives led by CSP Sunday Ehimare carried out a bush-combing exercise along the Benin-Lagos Expressway near Ohosu.
The exercise was based on intelligence that suspected hoodlums had converged in the forest to carry out criminal activities.
According to the statement, the suspects opened fire on the team, prompting the police to respond with superior firepower.
The suspects fled into the bush, leaving behind an AK-47 rifle loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, which was recovered by the operatives. Bush-combing operations in the area are still ongoing to track down fleeing suspects.
A coordinated drone-assisted operation led by CSP Solomon Oseghale on Sunday, January 25, 2026, was carried out at the Era/Idoha forest axis in Ekpoma.
The operation involved the police drone department, Edo State Security Corps, hunters, and vigilante groups. Four suspected kidnappers were arrested, while other accomplices escaped into the forest. Items recovered included two locally fabricated dane guns and four mobile phones.
The suspects arrested during the operation were identified as Mohammed Lawal, 62; Ashiru Ibrahim, 35; Abubakar Umoru, 30; and Umoru Ali, 35. They will be arraigned after the completion of investigations.
In another operation in Okpella, a 58-year-old farmer, Monday Adero of Iddo Quarters, who was kidnapped while on his way to his farm on January 22, 2026, was rescued.
The rescue was made possible through coordinated efforts by the police, hunters, and vigilante groups. One of the injured suspects, identified as Gehi Ibrahim, 24, was arrested and is currently in custody.
The statement added that on January 23, 2026, three people were kidnapped from their residence at Dr Akerenobo Quarters, Emaudo, Ekpoma.
The victims, identified as Odion Isideh, Mrs Isideh, and Mercy Isideh, were rescued unhurt after intensive bush operations involving the police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Security Corps, hunters, and other security partners.
Also, in Idoha Pipeline Community in Esan West Local Government Area, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekpoma, arrested a suspected kidnapper, Rabiu Mohammed Bello, 31, after reports of armed herders in the community. Other suspects fled with livestock and weapons.
On January 24, 2026, operatives attached to Ewu Division, with the support of vigilantes and hunters, rescued a kidnapped couple in Ochodo Community.
The suspects were dislodged from their hideout at Igun Forest, Agbede, leading to the rescue of the victims and the arrest of five suspects. Items recovered included ammunition, mobile phones and a motorcycle.
