Police arrest six suspected kidnappers in Edo, recover firearms
The Edo State Police Command has apprehended six suspected kidnappers and seized cash believed to be proceeds from their criminal activities.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the suspects in the past 48 hours.
Yamu revealed that the arrests and recoveries were made in different locations across Edo North, which has recently experienced a surge in kidnappings and violent crimes.
“On 16 March 2025, at approximately 4:30 am, officers from Agbede Police Division, in collaboration with local vigilantes, conducted a stop-and-search operation in Aviele along Abumere by the power line. Three suspects—Jamilu Idris (20), Usman Shuaibu (24), and Yahuza Usman (20)—were arrested. A search led to the recovery of an English-made Beretta pistol, a dagger, and an Infinix phone,” the statement read.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a gang responsible for multiple kidnappings and armed robberies, including motorcycle thefts in the region. Efforts to track down other members of the syndicate are ongoing.
Later the same day, at around 10:10 pm, operatives from the Auchi Division, in collaboration with local vigilantes, intercepted two men at UBA Junction in Auchi. The suspects attempted to flee upon sighting the officers but were pursued, leading to the arrest of one Adamu Usman of Hausa Quarters, while his accomplice escaped.
“A search of Usman led to the recovery of N1,345,100, suspected to be ransom money from kidnapping activities, along with five SIM cards, a machete, a dagger, two mobile phones, and a pack of cigarettes,” Yamu added.
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of two more suspects, Iliyasu Abubakar (19) and Safiyanu Mohammed (20). One of the recovered SIM cards was traced to Ajibola Sunday of Igbirra Camp in Auchi, who identified the suspects as part of an eight-man gang that abducted him and his mother-in-law on 11 March 2025. Their family had reportedly paid N10 million in ransom for their release.
The Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, assured the public of the command’s dedication to protecting lives and property, vowing that all perpetrators would face justice.
