By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Edo State Police Command has arrested three suspected kidnappers, including a national of the Niger Republic, while another suspect was neutralised during a security operation in the state.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem. She explained that the development followed intensified operations by the police to curb kidnapping and other violent crimes in Edo Central.
According to the statement, one of the suspects was neutralised when a four-man gang engaged police operatives in a gun duel during the operation. Three other suspects reportedly fled the scene, but the police said efforts are ongoing to track them down.
Ikoedem added that arms were recovered from the suspects’ hideout located in a forest during the operation.
She recalled that earlier in the year, following rising cases of kidnapping in communities within Edo Central, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led a strategic operational deployment to the area.
The operation, which lasted six days from February 16 to 22, 2026, involved on-the-spot security assessments, a review of operational strategies, and the redeployment of personnel to strengthen security in the area.
During the exercise, forests around Ubiaja were identified as key security flashpoints and subsequently placed under intensified surveillance and operational focus.
Since the deployment and restructuring of operations, the Ubiaja Police Division, under the supervision of the Divisional Police Officer, has recorded notable successes in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.
One of the breakthroughs occurred on February 17, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m., when operatives of the Ubiaja Division arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Suleman Harruna, a 28-year-old national of the Republic of Niger residing in Kaba, Kogi State.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspect had earlier been placed on the command’s wanted list. Members of the Hausa/Fulani community reportedly identified him as a member of a notorious kidnapping gang operating in the area alongside another accomplice.
Ikoedem said the suspect has made useful confessions and is currently assisting the police with ongoing investigations.
