The Edo State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate and killed one other suspect during an operation linked to the abduction of a woman at a popular market in Benin City.
The arrests followed an investigation into the kidnapping incident that occurred at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road on June 14.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Eno Ikoedem, said operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) carried out a series of coordinated operations that led to the breakthrough.
According to the statement, one of the suspects, identified as Marvelous Isaac, 32, was arrested on June 18 during a gun battle with security operatives.
“Following credible intelligence and the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, operatives of the Intelligence Response Team launched a coordinated operation which led to the arrest of one Marvelous Isaac during a gun duel, while another suspect identified simply as Precious was neutralised,” the statement said.
Police said several items believed to have been used in the criminal operation were recovered from the suspects.
The recovered exhibits included a Lexus RX 350 SUV allegedly used during the abduction, a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, a motorcycle and cash amounting to N2.05 million.
The statement further disclosed that additional suspects were arrested on June 20 during follow-up operations conducted in Benin City and parts of neighbouring Delta State.
“The operatives further arrested additional members of the organised crime syndicate, namely Gift Raphael, Wisdom Michael and Rufus Michael, during separate operations,” the police said.
Investigators said the suspects had made statements linking themselves to the market abduction and other criminal activities within Edo State.
“All suspects have made confessional statements linking them to the incident and other criminal operations within the state,” the statement added.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika praised their professionalism and commitment to fighting crime.
The police chief assured residents that the command would sustain efforts to dismantle criminal networks and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
He also urged members of the public to continue providing useful information that could assist security agencies in tackling crime across the state.
The kidnapping incident occurred on June 14 when a woman who had visited the Vegetable Market with her husband and children was reportedly abducted by armed men.
A witness who spoke in a video that circulated on social media described the incident as shocking.
“Today, for the first time, I witnessed someone being kidnapped,” the woman said.
The police said investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network.
