A joint security operation in Edo State has led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers during a coordinated raid on forest hideouts in Esan Central Local Government Area.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Sunday, 1 February 2026, by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, in Benin City.
According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended in the Idoha/Ewu forest and other identified locations on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, at about 3:30 a.m.
The operation involved a combined team of the Police Command’s tactical units, the drone surveillance team, Edo State Security Corps, local hunters, and vigilante groups. The bush-combing exercise was carried out following directives from the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts across the state.
The suspects were identified as Jokoro Sali, Buhari Ibrahim, Isah Abubakar, Shehu Ibrahim, Abdullahi Samar, Ibrahim Shaibu, Mohammed Joro, and Suleiman Unana.
Security operatives also discovered three tents believed to serve as kidnappers’ camps during the raid. Additionally, five mobile phones suspected to belong to kidnapped victims were recovered from the scene.
ASP Ikoedem stated that investigations are ongoing to track down other members of the suspected kidnapping syndicate and bring them to justice.
She reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustained joint security operations to rid Edo State of criminal elements and ensure the safety of residents.
