Six suspected kidnappers arrested as security agencies storm Edo forest

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command, working with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, have arrested six suspected kidnappers during a night raid in Agbede Forest, Etsako East Local Council of Edo State.

The operation followed what police described as a critical intelligence breakthrough provided by a kidnapped victim, who identified the forest camp where he had been held.

Spokesperson Eno Ikoedem said the early-hours operation on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, underscored the resolve of security forces to confront crime “at its roots.”

Ikoedem said that the raid was launched after the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led a joint team comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Edo State Security Corps and local hunters into the forest under cover of darkness.

According to the command, the team drove for about three hours to the last accessible motorable road before advancing on foot through dense forest paths and crossing three to four locally constructed wooden bridges to reach the identified camp.

“Upon arrival at the location at about 3:45 a.m., the area was swiftly cordoned off, effectively cutting off all escape routes. A thorough sweep of the camp resulted in the arrest of six suspects identified as: Mikel Gendaga, 41, from Benue State; Yusuf Abubakar, 34, from Kano State; Isyaka Abraham, 30, from Kogi State; Isyaka Abubakar, 37, from Kano State; Mohammed Sumo, 20, from Kano State; and Mohammed Abubakar, 25, from Kano State,” the statement said.

Ikoedem said the suspects are being profiled and subjected to intensive investigation by officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Benin, ahead of prosecution.

Agbonika commended the courage, discipline and inter-agency collaboration displayed during the operation and appealed to residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information, assuring that intelligence-led operations would remain central to efforts to secure lives and property across the state.