The Edo State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 113 suspected kidnappers during a coordinated security operation across strategic locations in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said the arrests followed credible intelligence indicating that ransom proceeds from kidnapping operations were being discreetly received and coordinated at Zangos in Agbede and the Iruekpen axis.
The early morning raid was led by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, who supervised a joint task force comprising operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilantes and hunters.
“The precision raids yielded the arrest of a total of one hundred and thirteen (113) suspects. All suspects are currently undergoing thorough profiling to ascertain their level of involvement,” the statement said.
“Those found culpable will be made to face the full weight of the law.”
Agbonika described the command’s offensive against kidnapping networks as “relentless and uncompromising,” vowing to dismantle not only armed groups operating in forests but also their financial and logistical support structures.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely, credible information to security agencies, assuring that all intelligence received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The commissioner further declared that the command remains proactive and battle-ready to safeguard lives and property, warning that there would be no hiding place for kidnappers or their collaborators in Edo State.
The arrests mark the latest in a series of operations targeting criminal elements in the state. On February 4, the Nigerian Army announced the arrest of 13 suspected kidnappers and drug traffickers in separate operations across Osara community in Etsako West Local Government Area, as well as Auchi and Okpella in Edo North Senatorial District, according to a statement by Kennedy Anyanwu, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 4 Brigade.
