Metro

Edo Police Command Rescues Two Abducted Children, Arrests Suspects

Published

5 years ago

August 28, 2021

The Edo State Police Command on Saturday said it has rescued two children abducted by some suspects. The Command equally announced the arrest of the suspects.

The Command disclosed that it arrested three suspects Precious Mmaduike ‘F’ (21), Jane Osas ‘F’ (35) and John Obasu (45) in connection with the abduction of David Ibe ‘M’ (4years) and Chizaram ‘F’ (2years) from Lagos state on the 23/8/2021, children of one Mr Ibe Phenasus of No. 31 Balogun kuku street Aguda Surulere Lagos State.

According to a release issued by the Command’s spoeksman, Bello Kontongs, “the abduction was planned and executed by their housemaid, Precious Mmaduike ‘F’, who used her familiarity with the children as house help and abducted them from Lagos to Benin City, Edo state.

“According to the complainant who also is the father of the children, he said that , at about 0845hrs, his children were given N500 by his wife to buy biscuit outside the compound in Lagos in the company of their housemaid.

“They waited for them to return but they were not forthcoming. The phone of the housemaid was switched off, all efforts in search of the children and housemaid proved abortive. That was when the father immediately reported the situation to Aguda Police Station Lagos, where it was discovered that the last location of the housemaid before she switched off her mobile was in Benin city, Edo state.

“The complainant decided to come to the police in Edo State for assistance. Men of the Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit of Edo State Police Command immediately commenced investigation. With the aid of the information gathered from the origin of the abduction and field assets, the abducted children were rescued on 26/08/2021 at about 1730hrs by the operatives of the EDO STATE POLICE COMMAND, Benin city in a very remote area at Upper Ekewan Road, Benin City with the housemaid and a woman she came to visit with the children.

“The housemaid who met the woman on the internet claimed that the two children belonged to her and they came to Benin City for visit but unknown to the woman that the children are not for her.

“The woman had bought gift items and other properties for the children and are currently with the police”, Kontongs explained.

The PPRO added that, “While the operatives were on their way to the state Command in Benin city with the rescued children, the suspects and two other children found in the house ,the husband of the woman, One Joseph Obaze raised alarm of kidnapping against the police operatives which attracted a group of unknown vigilante members who blocked the road”.

“The Police operatives identified themselves to the unknown vigilante group but they went ahead to attack the police operatives with all kinds of weapons, causing bodily injuries to some policemen.

“Before reinforcement could arrive at the scene, the vigilante group had escaped to an unknown destination. Efforts are in place by the command to apprehend the vigilante leader and his gang members that attacked the police operatives”, the Command disclosed.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police enjoined all law abiding members of the public to go about their lawful businesses, noting that the command would not allow miscreants in the name of vigilante group to take over the public space.

“For the police to achieve its mandate of protecting lives and property, the CP enjoins the public to continue to provide useful information to the police about criminals and their activities”, the statement pleaded.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

18 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.

Metro

Police Arrest Private Chef Over Alleged N150m Theft, Drugging Of Employer, Burglary

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a chef, John Cosmos Govi, over his alleged involvement in a burglary operation at a residence in Abuja, where luxury items and valuables worth about N150 million were reportedly stolen.

The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, who said the suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) after investigations into allegations of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, malicious damage and administering harmful substances.

According to police findings, Govi, who allegedly gained employment as a chef at the residence, was said to have studied the movement of occupants, internal routine and security setup before allegedly carrying out the operation on April 23, 2026.

Investigators said he reportedly worked with two accomplices identified as Peter and Moses, who are currently on the run.

Police alleged that food prepared in the house was laced with a suspected sedative substance to weaken the occupants and security personnel.

After they reportedly became unconscious, the suspects allegedly broke into the property, damaged CCTV installations and stole 20 luxury wristwatches valued at about N150 million, alongside other valuables.

Speaking on the development, DCP Anthony Placid said the suspect was intercepted around the Gwagwalada axis of the Federal Capital Territory while attempting to flee to Lagos. He added that an iPhone 17 Pro Max, believed to belong to the victim, and a suspected chemical substance were recovered.

“We remain committed to dismantling organised criminal networks and ensuring that all fleeing accomplices are brought to justice,” Placid said.

Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and conclude investigations into the case.