The Edo State Police Command, on Wednesday, said it has arrested no fewer five suspected kidnappers at their hideout at Udo community in Iguabazua, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state.
Those apprehended, according to the Police included, Mohammed Ali, 25; Abdullahi Umar, 30; Bello Tambaya, 24; Hassan Mohammad, 24; and Adamu Bello, 26. One Babuga said to be the principal suspect is still at large.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kontongs Bello, who made this known in a statement in Benin City, the state capital, also explained that the suspects were nabbed by a team of operatives led by the Divisional Police Officer in Iguabazua on Monday evening.
“They are linked with the kidnapping case reported to the command on 04/02/2022 at about 1900hrs in the area,” said the PPRO.
Bello added that the suspects are making useful information that will lead to the arrest of other gang members on the run and will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
The command’s spokesman, also narrated how a team of police operatives rescued three persons who have been held captive for two weeks.
He continued, On the 20/02/2022 at about 1200hrs, the Edo State Police Command acted on credible information that hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers bearing dangerous weapons are sighted around Unomi Farmland in Iddo Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, together with some persons believed to have been kidnapped.
“On receipt of the information, the combined team of police operatives and local hunters led by the ever gallant Divisional Police Officer, Okpella Division, immediately mobilised to the location on a rescue mission and possible arrest of the suspects.
“On sighting the team of operatives approaching them, the hoodlums opened fire. Left with no option, the team responded accordingly, resulting in a gun duel that lasted for about one hour.
“The suspected kidnappers, because of the superior firepower from the team of operatives, had to abandon their victims unhurt and escape into the bush, with various degrees of bullet wounds.”
The force identified the rescued victims as Marcellus Ekhayeme, Igbafe Austine, and Musa Aliu who said they were abducted from the Iyiku Jattu area of Auchi since February 8.
The victims, he said, were profiled and handed over to their various families while the Commissioner of Police in Edo, Philip Ogbadu, promised to continue to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure a crime-free state.
