Metro

Edo Security Corp Arrests Three Suspected Kidnappers

Published

1 year ago

January 31, 2025

Edo State Security Corp has arrested three suspects for kidnapping in Uromi, Esan North East Local Governments area of Edo State following several complaints by residents of the high rate of kidnapping in the area.

Asene Ogah, 49 years; Ibhafidon Eric, 29 years; and Ekpu Godfrey 44 years were arrested in connection with the kidnap. Two locally made pump action guns were found with the suspects.

Speaking to a journalist in Benin City on Friday, the Commander Edo State Security Corp, CP Friday Ibadin (retd.) said his men achieved this feat on Tuesday as they responded to a distress call made by a woman that kidnappers were in her house while his men were mobilized for bush combing of Esan land.

He said that after the call, the woman hid in the bush while his men rescued her, and kept her in a safe place before arresting the suspects.

Ibadin noted that his men arrested three of the seven men who invaded the woman’s residence in Uromi to kidnap her and advised other criminals in the state that Edo would not be a haven for criminals urging them to relocate to other states.

He, however, said that the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation into the alleged Kidnapping in Uromi.

He said, “We have had a series of complaints from Esan land about frequent kidnapping and other forms of criminality in the areas following these complaints, men were mobilized to embark on patrol and bush combing of the area three days ago.

“On our way to Esan land exactly at Ugoneki in Uhunmwonde Local Governments area, I got a call from a distressed lady who identified herself as Ufuha Rita and cried for help.

“She spoke to us from her hiding place in Uromi, we drove down and rescued her. She said she knew the suspects and she took us to their various houses at night to pick three of the seven suspects.”

He added, “The victim said the group created by one Bruce is working against the security of Esan people claiming to be securing them while criminal activities are on the increase, particularly in Uromi.

“Those arrested have made past revelation of their kidnapping activities and we will hand over them to the police as we have done our part.

“They claim to be working with the police we have not gotten any message or calls from the police in Uromi, it shows they lied.

“There is a law backing Edo State Security Corp. We are recognised by law and that of Mr. Bruce is illegal”.

The victim thanked the Edo State Security Corp for saving her life calling on the relevant security agencies to save her tormentors.

Ekpu confessed to having been involved in kidnapping in the past but he has changed his ways.

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

59 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

19 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.