Edo security operatives arrest three suspected kidnappers identified by victims

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), have arrested three suspected kidnappers after they were allegedly identified by victims at Jattu Market in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The arrests, described by authorities as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on kidnapping and violent crimes across the state, followed a swift intelligence-led operation carried out by security personnel attached to the Jattu Division.

Confirming the development to journalists in Benin City, the spokesperson of the Edo State Police Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, identified the suspects as Nura Dahiru, 22; Ibrahim Yakubu, 25; and Abubakar Inusa, 23.

According to Ikoedem, the operation was triggered after credible information reached the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jattu Division on May 15, 2026, at about 5:50 p.m., indicating that one of the suspected abductors of Mrs. Ibrahim Jemila had been sighted at Jattu Market.

Mrs. Jemila was reportedly kidnapped on May 13, 2026, before later regaining her freedom under circumstances yet to be disclosed by authorities.

The police spokesperson explained that upon receiving the intelligence, operatives of the division immediately mobilised alongside members of the Edo State Security Corps to the market, where the three suspects were apprehended.

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“Acting swiftly on the information, operatives of the Division mobilised in collaboration with members of the Edo State Security Corps to the location where three suspects were arrested,” Ikoedem stated.

She further disclosed that during preliminary investigations, two of the suspects — Nura Dahiru and Ibrahim Yakubu — were positively identified by Mrs. Jemila and another victim as members of the gang responsible for their abduction.

“In the course of investigation, two of the suspects, Nura Dahiru and Ibrahim Yakubu, have been positively identified by Jemila and one other as members of the kidnapping gang responsible for their abduction,” she added.

Security analysts say the arrest highlights the growing importance of intelligence-sharing and community cooperation in combating kidnapping, which has remained a major security challenge in several parts of Nigeria, including Edo State.

A Benin-based security consultant, Osaro Idehen, noted that prompt reporting by residents and rapid response by security agencies are becoming critical tools in dismantling criminal networks.

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“When victims and residents provide timely information, it significantly improves the ability of security agencies to track suspects before they disappear into forests or neighbouring states. This arrest demonstrates the value of coordinated local security operations,” he said.

Another criminology expert, Dr. Emmanuel Aigbokhan, stated that the collaboration between the police and state-backed security outfits could help improve public confidence in law enforcement.

“The synergy between conventional police units and local security corps is necessary, especially in rural and semi-urban communities where kidnappers often exploit weak surveillance systems,” he explained.

The Edo State Police Command reiterated its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against criminal elements and urged residents to continue providing useful information that could aid ongoing investigations and arrests.

Kidnapping for ransom has become a recurring security concern in parts of Edo State and the wider South-South region, prompting renewed calls for stronger intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and increased community policing initiatives.