Police say suspected kidnapper was killed during gun battle as investigations continue into child abduction and other crimes
BENIN CITY — The Edo State Police Command says it has arrested 10 suspects for various violent and other serious crimes, neutralised one suspected kidnapper and recovered firearms, ammunition and stolen vehicles during intelligence-led operations across the state.
The Command disclosed this during a press briefing by the Police Public Relations Officer on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, psc(+), mnips, as part of its review of security operations over the immediate past week.
According to the Command, the operations resulted in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, 10 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, one Beretta pistol and 14 rounds of live ammunition, alongside several stolen vehicles and other exhibits.
The Police said one of the major cases under investigation involved the alleged abduction and sexual abuse of five female children from the Ibillo/Imoga axis of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The Command said it received information on September 12, 2026, concerning the alleged abduction of the five children, leading to police intervention and the arrest of a 50-year-old suspect identified as Nicholas Nusa.
Preliminary investigation, according to the Police, indicated that the children were allegedly sexually abused. The Command further alleged that one of the victims became pregnant and went into early labour.
The Police said the victim subsequently lost the baby after undergoing surgery.
The five children have since been reunited with their families, according to the Command, while the suspect is expected to be charged before a court after the completion of investigation.
In another operation, Police operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Sunday Irabor at Efe Classic Crown Hotel, near Oluku Market, on September 8.
The arrest, according to the Command, followed credible intelligence received by the operatives.
Three mobile phones, a Samsung tablet, a wristwatch and some Nigerian and United States currency were reportedly recovered from the suspect.
The Police said investigation by the Violent Crime Response Unit had so far linked Irabor to several alleged criminal activities within Edo State, adding that the investigation remains ongoing.
The Command also reported the recovery of stolen vehicles in two separate operations.
On September 7, the Police received a report concerning the alleged theft of a Toyota Camry 2.2 with registration number BEN 572 BT.
According to the Command, detailed investigation and tracking by the Violent Crime Response Unit led operatives to Warri, Delta State, where they arrested a suspect identified as Isiaka Suleiman.
The Police said Suleiman was allegedly the complainant’s driver and that the stolen Toyota Camry was recovered in the operation.
The suspect and vehicle were subsequently handed over to the VCRU for further investigation.
In a related case, operatives of the Iguobazuwa Police Division recovered a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla with registration number GGE 675KR on September 17 at about 2 p.m.
The Command said the recovery followed an emergency message received from the Police Control Room, prompting officers on stop-and-search duty to intercept the vehicle.
According to the Police, the vehicle belonged to Yikodeen Company Limited and had allegedly been stolen from Lagos State.
The vehicle was reportedly intercepted while being driven towards Port Harcourt, where it was allegedly intended to be sold.
The Police said the vehicle’s number plate had been removed and concealed inside the car.
The driver, identified as 21-year-old Ahmed Musa Abubakar, was arrested and, according to the Command, confessed to the alleged offence during preliminary investigation.
The recovered vehicle has since been released to Yikodeen Company Limited, according to the Police.
The Command also reported the recovery of a Beretta pistol and 14 rounds of live 9mm ammunition during a police operation in Ovbiogie Community.
The operation took place at about 7 a.m. on September 17 following credible intelligence, according to the Police.
Operatives raided the premises of a 28-year-old man identified as Collins Aligwekwe at No. 4 Sofia Street, Ovbiogie Community.
During a search of the premises, the Police said they recovered an English Beretta pistol and 14 rounds of live 9mm ammunition allegedly concealed inside a purse placed in a bag of rice in the kitchen.
Another 28-year-old man identified as God’stime Erohuomhea was also arrested at the premises.
The suspects and recovered exhibits remain in police custody while investigation continues.
In another major operation, the Command said one suspected kidnapper was neutralised during a gun battle between security operatives and suspected kidnappers in Edo State.
According to the Police, the operation took place on September 15 at about 10 a.m. after community leaders alerted authorities that suspected kidnappers had entered a farm road.
Police operatives, working with members of the Edo State Security Corps and local hunters, were mobilised to the area.
The Command said the suspected kidnappers opened fire after sighting the security team, leading to a gun duel.
During the confrontation, the security operatives reportedly overpowered the suspected kidnappers, with one suspect being neutralised.
An AK-47 rifle and 10 rounds of live ammunition were recovered, according to the Police.
The Command said the surrounding bush was still being combed for possible arrests and additional weapons, while monitoring and intelligence operations remain ongoing.
The Police also reported the arrest of a suspected military impersonator in a separate incident.
On September 16 at about 2 p.m., personnel of the 195 Battalion, Aganebode, stationed at Okpella, arrested a 32-year-old man identified as Mohammed Manfred Abdulramah of Okene, Kogi State, along the Auchi-Okene Expressway.
The suspect was reportedly travelling from Warri, Delta State, to Okene when he was intercepted.
According to the Police, he was wearing military camouflage trousers and a camouflage vest at the time of his arrest.
Police investigation reportedly established that the suspect was not a member of the military.
The Command further alleged that the military clothing had been stolen from a Navy officer based in Niger State.
Preliminary investigation into the suspected impersonation remains ongoing.
The Edo State Police Command said the series of operations demonstrate its continued focus on intelligence-led policing, rapid response and the disruption of criminal activities across the state.
The Command said the arrests, recovery of stolen property and firearms, as well as the disruption of suspected kidnapping operations, form part of its efforts to protect lives and property.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, psc(+), mnips, urged residents of Edo State to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the Police whenever they observe suspicious activities.
He assured residents that the Command would continue to deploy available resources towards identifying and prosecuting persons found responsible for criminal offences.
The Police Commissioner also reiterated the importance of public cooperation in tackling kidnapping, violent crime, sexual offences, vehicle theft and other forms of criminality across the state.
IBN News reports that the suspects mentioned by the Police remain subjects of investigation and are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
