Police kill suspected kidnapper, arrest accomplice in Edo

The Edo State Police Command has killed a suspected kidnapper and arrested another member of a gang linked to the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market in Benin City.

The State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, disclosed this on Thursday while parading suspects at the command headquarters in Benin City.

Agbonika said operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a 32-year-old suspect, Marvelous Issac, in connection with the kidnapping which occurred on June 14, 2026.

According to him, another suspect identified simply as Precious was killed during a gun duel with police operatives.

“Following a kidnapping report at the Vegetable Market in Benin City on June 14, 2026, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team, Edo Command, acting on credible intelligence, successfully arrested one Marvelous Issac, aged 32 years, who was identified as a member of the kidnapping syndicate,” the CP said.

“During the operation, another suspect identified as Precious was neutralised following an exchange of gunfire with the police.”

The police commissioner said a red Lexus RX 350 with registration number EKP 848 AE, allegedly used for the operation, was recovered from the suspects.

He added that the arrested suspect confessed that the vehicle, alongside a pump-action shotgun and two live cartridges, was used during the kidnapping.

Agbonika further disclosed that N2.25 million suspected to be proceeds of crime and a motorcycle were also recovered.

He said investigations were ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend other members of the gang who remain at large.

Speaking during the parade, Governor Monday Okpebholo commended security agencies for the swift arrest of the suspects and reiterated his administration’s resolve to rid the state of kidnapping and cult-related crimes.

The governor revealed plans to establish a special court to handle cases involving kidnappers and cultists to ensure speedy trials and convictions.

He also warned that he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant of any kidnapper convicted under the law.

Okpebholo said, “Something very terrible happened on Sunday and I called the Commissioner of Police and told him that whoever committed that crime of kidnapping inside Benin City must be arrested.

“Within 24 hours, those guys were caught. The money they intended to use for ransom was recovered and used to trace them. During the operation, there was an exchange of gunfire and one of them was killed. Two others are still at large and one is in custody.

“You can see that the police are working, the Army is working and the DSS is working.

“We are proposing a special court to try kidnappers and cultists so that within a matter of weeks their cases can be concluded. I will not hesitate to sign the death warrant of any convict, and such persons will be publicly paraded. I will have no regrets about it.”