By Deborah Nnamdi
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have apprehended six individuals suspected of being involved in kidnapping, along with cash believed to be proceeds from their criminal activities.
Moses Yamu, the command’s spokesperson, stated in a press release on Tuesday that firearms and ammunition were seized from the suspects over the past 48 hours.
Yamu also revealed that the arrests and recoveries took place in multiple locations across Edo North, an area that has seen a rise in kidnappings and killings over the past three weeks.
The statement read, “On 16/03/2024 at about 04:30hrs, operatives of the Agbede Police Division alongside vigilante personnel, while on stop and search in Aviele along Abumere by power line, intercepted and arrested three suspects Jamilu Idris (20 years) Usman Shuaibu (24 years) and Yahuza Usman (20 years).
“One English-made Beretta pistol, one dagger, and an Infinix phone were recovered from the suspects after they were searched.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate responsible for kidnaping and armed robbery, including snatching of motorcycles in that axis of the state. Investigation continues with a view to arrest other members of the syndicate.
“On 16/03/2025 at about 22:10hrs, operatives of the Auchi Division, in collaboration with the vigilante on routine stop and search at UBA junction Auchi, intercepted two young men. The young men who took to their heels on sighting the police were given a hot chase, and one Adamu Usman of Hausa Quarters was arrested while his accomplice escaped.
“The on-the-spot search led to the recovery of N1,345,100 believed to be proceeds of kidnapping. Also recovered were five micro sim cards, one machete, one dagger, two phones, and a pack of cigarettes.
“During preliminary investigation, two additional suspects, Iliyasu Abubakar (19 years) and Safiyanu Mohammed (20 years) were arrested, while one of the sim cards was discovered to belong to one Ajibola Sunday of Igbirra camp in Auchi. When Ajibola Sunday was contacted and invited to the station, he identified the suspect as being part of the eight-man gang that kidnapped him and his mother-in-law on 11/03/2025 and their relations had to part with the sum of N10 million to secure their release.”
Yamu said that the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, assured the public of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
He assured all that perpetrators would be brought to justice.
