Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have rescued four kidnap victims, including a couple, a woman and her 14-year-old son, during separate operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, disclosed the development while addressing journalists in Benin City on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
According to him, the police also arrested a notorious kidnapping kingpin identified as Yusuf Hassan, popularly known as “Dogo Yellow,” alongside nine other members of his gang.
Agbonika explained that the successful rescue operations were made possible through the deployment of drone technology, digital tracking systems, intelligence-led policing and other advanced surveillance gadgets introduced by the command to tackle kidnapping and violent crimes in Edo State.
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He noted that the technologies helped security operatives track and dismantle a kidnapping syndicate terrorising residents in Uromi, Ewato, Emu, Okwesan, Ugboha and other communities within the Esan South-East axis.
The rescued victims were identified as Mrs Ezighode Ebosele and her 14-year-old son, Wisdom Ebosele, as well as Mr Okarewagba Benth, 54, and his wife, Mrs Okarewagba Ruth, 50.
The police commissioner said the mother and son were abducted on May 1, 2026, at Udomi Quarters in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, while the couple were kidnapped on May 8, 2026, along the Benin-Akure Road between Ozoguo and Obazuwa communities.
He stated that following reports of the incidents, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately launched coordinated rescue operations using drones, communication interception and intelligence gathering techniques.
Agbonika said the victims were eventually rescued unhurt, while the suspected gang leader and nine syndicate members were apprehended.
Investigations, according to him, revealed that the criminal network operated with informants, ransom negotiators, food suppliers, victim trackers and armed enforcers, while also recruiting new members into the gang.
The commissioner further disclosed that the kingpin was arrested at a criminal hideout located on the outskirts of Ubiaja, adding that the property had since been demolished and confiscated by the Edo State Government in line with anti-kidnapping laws.
He also revealed that police operatives foiled another attempted kidnap attack along the Benin-Akure Road on May 8 after officers on patrol responded swiftly to gunshots in the area.
According to him, the operatives, supported by military personnel stationed at Obarenren, engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest.
Agbonika said the rescued couple was found unharmed during the operation, while bush-combing efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and maintain security surveillance in the area.
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