By Peace Udugba
The Edo State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its investigation into the abduction of three women in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, following the recovery of two bodies and the arrest of a suspected member of the kidnapping syndicate.
Police authorities confirmed on Wednesday that one of the recovered victims has been identified as 66-year-old Favour Nosakhare, who was abducted from her residence in Iyowa Community alongside two other women on May 9, 2026.
According to the Command, the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Musa Haruna, was arrested while receiving treatment for a gunshot injury allegedly sustained during a previous encounter with security operatives. Investigators said he later led police to a remote forest location where the remains of two victims were discovered.
The Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said the victims were taken hostage after armed men invaded their home and forced them into a nearby forest.
The victims were identified as Favour Nosakhare, Emmanuel Annabel Osasere (28), and Rejoice Otikpere (26).
Police said the case attracted widespread attention after the abductors reportedly contacted relatives of the victims and demanded ransom. During the communication, family members allegedly witnessed the captives being subjected to severe assault, heightening pressure on security agencies to secure their release.
The Command explained that the incident triggered a coordinated manhunt, with operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) working alongside the Police Drone Unit to track the suspects across forest areas and criminal hideouts within Ovia North-East and surrounding communities.
Investigators said a significant breakthrough came on May 19 when operatives located members of the gang in a forested area along the powerline corridor in Ovia. The suspects reportedly engaged officers in a gun battle before fleeing deeper into the forest after sustaining injuries.
Police said blood-stained clothing and spent AK-47 shells were recovered at the scene, leading to intensified search operations.
The investigation later resulted in the arrest of Haruna, who is believed to be part of a criminal network involved in kidnappings and armed robberies along the Benin–Lagos and Old Benin–Akure highways.
According to the Command, the suspect confessed to participating in the abduction during interrogation and assisted investigators in locating a forest in Ogwa Community, where two decomposed bodies were recovered on June 2 2026.
One of the bodies was confirmed by relatives to be that of Nosakhare, while efforts are ongoing to identify the second victim.
The Command added that operations have been expanded to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang, expressing confidence that further arrests will be made.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the officers involved in the operation, particularly personnel of the VCRU and the Drone Unit, for their professionalism and dedication.
He also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and bringing all perpetrators to justice.
