Police arrest Nigerien and two others for kidnapping in Edo
Three suspected kidnappers, including a Nigerien national, have been arrested by the Edo State Police Command during separate operations. According to the command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, one suspect was killed after a gun battle with police, while others escaped and are being pursued. The operations were carried out in response to rising kidnapping incidents in Edo Central Senatorial District. Monday Agbonika, the Commissioner of Police, led a security deployment to address the situation and improve policing in the area.
What happened
- Monday Agbonika led a security deployment spending six days in the area between February 16 and 22, 2026 to assess and reposition security personnel.
- On February 17, 2026, police arrested Suleman Harruna, a 28-year-old Nigerien, in Kaba, Kogi State, who was wanted for kidnapping.
- Ibrahim Kodo, 25, was arrested on February 20, 2026, and was identified by a kidnapping victim as one of three armed men who abducted him on June 2, 2025.
- On February 26, 2026, Orsee Iorzaa, 32, was arrested after being identified by a victim abducted on February 21, 2026.
- A bush-combing operation on March 7, 2026, led to a gun battle in which one suspect was killed and three escaped; police recovered weapons and other items.
- In a separate operation on March 2, police arrested 65 suspected kidnappers in Aviele, Etsako West LGA, recovering N1.85 million and Nigerian Army uniforms.
