The Edo State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers believed to be members of a notorious kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate operating within the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Benin City on Tuesday. He said the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence.
According to the police commissioner, the suspects, identified as 22-year-old Mohammed Hamisu and 23-year-old Saidu Bebe, were arrested on June 29, 2026, at about 5:30 p.m. in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly led investigators to a forest located between Abudu in Edo State and Obiaruku in Delta State, where security operatives recovered three AK-pattern rifles and two magazines hidden at different locations.
Further investigations led to another operation in the same forest on August 12, during which police recovered 58 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition and an additional magazine.
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Daaor stated that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the criminal network and recover more weapons believed to be in the possession of the syndicate.
In a separate operation, the police also rescued a kidnapped woman identified as Elizabeth William.
According to the commissioner, the victim, a resident of Uwelu Quarters in Benin City, was rescued alive by operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit at Ogheghe Community, located off the Benin-Auchi Road near Egba.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim allegedly met her captor through the social media platform TikTok, where they began communicating.
Police alleged that the suspect, who has since been arrested, invited the woman to his residence under the pretext of a romantic meeting.
However, she was allegedly held captive, and her family was contacted and forced to pay a ransom of ₦500,000 before her release.
The Edo State Police Command has assured residents that investigations are continuing and that all individuals connected to the crimes will be brought to justice.
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