Policein Edo arrest 55 kidnappers and rescue 58 victims.

Edo State Police Commissioner Monday Agbonika told reporters on Tuesday that 55 suspected kidnappers were arrested and 58 victims rescued between March and May 2026.

Speaking at a press briefing in Benin while presenting the command’s operational scorecard, the commissioner said the achievements resulted from a major crackdown on violent crime throughout the state.

Agbonika added that the police also detained 15 suspected cultists, eight suspects of armed robbery, 15 murder suspects, three individuals linked to unlawful firearm possession, and 23 suspects connected to rape and defilement cases.

The commissioner noted that the command has intensified the use of drones, digital tracking systems, surveillance equipment and intelligence‑led operations to combat kidnapping and violent crime, particularly in the Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts.

He highlighted the recent rescue of Ezighode Ebosele and her 14‑year‑old son, Wisdom, who were abducted on 1 May in Udoni Quarters, Irrua, Edo Central.

According to Agbonika, operatives employed aerial surveillance technology and technical intelligence to free the victims unharmed and to apprehend the alleged kingpin, Yusuf Hassan, popularly known as “Dogo Yellow,” together with nine other gang members.

Investigations, he said, revealed that the syndicate operated a structured criminal network that included informants, food suppliers, ransom negotiators and armed enforcers.

The alleged kingpin was captured at a criminal hideout near Ubiaja; the site has since been demolished and confiscated by the Edo Government under the state’s anti‑kidnapping law.

“In the period under review, 55 suspected kidnappers were arrested, and 58 victims were rescued between March and May 2026,” he reiterated.

The commissioner also disclosed that police foiled another kidnapping attempt on 8 May along the Benin‑Akure Road between Ozoguo and Obazuwa communities.

Police operatives, supported by military personnel, engaged the kidnappers in a gunfight and rescued two victims, Okarewagba Benth and his wife, Ruth, without injury.

Agbonika said bush‑combining operations remain underway to capture the fleeing suspects.

During the operations, the command recovered two AK‑47 rifles, six pump‑action guns, seven locally‑made firearms, 13 cartridges and other ammunition.

Agbonika expressed concern over the rising incidence of sexual and gender‑based violence (SGBV) in the state.

“Within the last two months alone, the command has arrested over 23 suspects linked to rape, defilement and other SGBV‑related offences.

“This trend is painful, unacceptable and deeply concerning,” he said.

He assured residents that the command will continue aggressive operations against criminal elements and will keep strengthening tactical capacity and investigative professionalism across the state.

The command has also launched a new tactical outfit, the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), to combat kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes statewide.

Agbonika described the VCRU as a specialised, intelligence‑driven squad designed to tackle organised violent crime with professionalism and accountability.

He said the VCRU was created in line with directives from Inspector‑General of Police Olatunji Disu to enhance operational response to emerging security threats nationwide.