The Edo State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping, following a daring joint night operation that led to the arrest of six suspected kidnappers in Agbede Forest, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo state.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, was part of ongoing joint clearance efforts aimed at flushing out criminal elements from identified hideouts across Edo State.
According to the Police, the raid followed a critical intelligence lead provided by a victim who had earlier escaped from captivity and was able to clearly identify the forest camp where he had been held.
Acting on this information, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, personally led a joint security team comprising officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), and local hunters into the forest under the cover of darkness.
The joint team reportedly drove for about three hours to the last accessible motorable point before proceeding on foot through dense forest terrain.
Operatives crossed three locally constructed wooden bridges and advanced silently for nearly two additional hours to avoid compromising the mission.
At about 3:45 a.m., the camp was successfully cordoned off, cutting off all possible escape routes. A thorough sweep of the area led to the arrest of six suspects identified as Mikel Gendaga ‘M’, aged 41, from Benue State; Yusuf Abubakar ‘M’, aged 34, from Kano State; Isyaka Abraham ‘M’, aged 30, from Kogi State; Isyaka Abubakar ‘M’, aged 37, from Kano State; Mohammed Sumo ‘M’, aged 20, from Kano State; and Mohammed Abubakar ‘M’, aged 25, also from Kano State.
The suspects have been taken into custody and are currently undergoing profiling and intensive investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City, in preparation for prosecution.
Commending the officers involved, CP Agbonika described the operation as a clear message to criminal elements, warning that Edo State forests will no longer serve as safe havens for criminals. He praised the courage, discipline, and seamless inter-agency collaboration displayed during the operation and reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to confront organised crime at its most remote locations.
The Edo State Police Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information, assuring residents that sustained intelligence-led operations remain central to efforts to safeguard lives and property across the state.
The statement was signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, and dated February 5, 2026.
