Metro

Police Arrest One, Neutralise Another Linked To Edo Abduction As Okpebholo Okays Special Court

Published

3 months ago

June 18, 2026

Editor

Suspects who kidnapped a woman at Vegetable Market in Benin on Sunday, April 14, 2026 have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Police Command. The Guardian gathered that the woman was released two days after the incident.

Parading the suspects in Benin on Thursday in the presence of Governor Monday Okpebholo, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, said
“operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) Edo, acting on credible intelligence, successfully arrested one Marvelous Issac (m), aged 32 years, who was identified as a member of the kidnapping syndicate,” adding that “another suspect identified as Precious (surname unknown) was neutralized following an exchange of gunfire with the police.”

Also paraded were suspected kidnappers operating along the Benin – Lagos Highway, the woman who faked her kidnap to extort money from family members among others.

The commissioner disclosed that vehicles and some funds were recovered from the suspects.

The commissioner said: “Items recovered from the suspects include a red Lexus RX 350 with registration number EKP 848 AE, which the suspect confessed was used in carrying out the kidnapping operation, one pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, a cash sum of N2,250,000 suspected to be proceeds of crime, and one motorcycle.

“Investigation is ongoing with efforts intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.”

In his speech, Okpebholo called for the establishment of a special court for kidnappers and cultists to fast track their trials and possible conviction.

Okpebholo, while stating that he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant of anyone convicted, announced financial reward for the security team that smashed the kidnap syndicate.

He said his administration in collaboration with security agencies would continue to make the state uncomfortable for kidnappers and cultists.

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

“Within 24 hours, those guys were caught. The money with which they pretended they wanted to pay ransom was also recovered which was used to trace them and in the process, there was an exchange of gunfire and one of them was killed, two are still at large and one is here.

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

“We are proposing a special court to try kidnappers and cultists so that in a matter of weeks, they will be done with it and I will hesitate to sign the death warrant of any convict and such person will be paraded so that the people will see them and this I will not have any regret about, please don’t take my simplicity for granted.”

Metro

Edo Police Nab 50-year-old Over Alleged Sexual Abuse, Impregnation Of Minor

Published

3 days ago

September 22, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a 50-year-old Nicholas Nusa, for allegedly impregnating a minor.

The command operatives also arrested a man claiming to be a military personnel, killed a suspected kidnapper, arrested another for alleged car theft and recovered arms and ammunition in a state-wide raid.

The command Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, who disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen, said: “Within the past week, the command have arrested a total of 10 suspects for violent crimes, neutralized 1 suspected kidnapper, recovered 1 AK 47 Rifle, 10 7.62 mm live ammunitions, 1 barrette pistol with 14 live ammunition.”

The statement reads, “On 12th September 2026, the Command received information on the alleged abduction of five female children from the Ibillo/Imoga axis of Akoko Edo local government area. A 50 year-old suspect, Nicholas Nusa, was arrested following police intervention.

“Preliminary investigation revealed the children were sexually abused, he impregnated one of them who went into early labour. The victim lost the baby after surgery. The children have been reunited with their families and suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.

“On 8th September 2026, operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested Sunday Irabor at Efe Classic Crown Hotel, near Oluku Market. Items recovered include three mobile phones, a Samsung tablet, wristwatch and some cash in Naira and Dollars, investigation by the Violent Crime Response Unit has revealed that the suspect is a notorious criminal and has confessed to several criminal activities within the State.

“On 7th September 2026, a report was received concerning the theft of a Toyota Camry with registration number BEN 572 BT. Thorough investigation and tracking by the Violent Crime Response Unit led to the arrest of the suspect, identified as the complainant’s driver, Isiaka Suleiman, in Warri, Delta State, and the recovery of the vehicle. The suspect and vehicle have been handed over to the VCRU for further investigation.”

The statement continues, “In a related incident, On 17th September 2026 at about 1400hrs, Operatives of Iguobazuwa Division on stop and search following emergency message received from the command control room recovered a silver-coloured Toyota Corolla, registration number GGE 675KR, belonging to Yikodeen Company Limited which was stolen from Lagos state.

“The vehicle was intercepted while on its way to Port Harcourt to be sold with its number plate detached and concealed inside the vehicle. The driver, 21-year-old Ahmed Musa Abubakar, has confessed to the offense and the vehicle has been released to the company.

“On 17th September 2026 at about 07:00hrs, based on credible intelligence, police operatives raided the premises of one Collins Aligwekwe ‘m’, 28 years, at No. 4 Sofia Street, Ovbiogie Community. During the search, one English Beretta pistol and 14 rounds of live 9mm ammunition were recovered concealed in a purse inside a bag of rice in the kitchen. One God’stime Erohuomhea ‘m’, 28 years, was also arrested at the premises. The suspects and recovered exhibits are in custody as investigation continues.

“Also, on 15th September 2026 at about 10:00hrs, following a distress call from community leaders that suspected kidnappers had entered a farm road, police operatives, in collaboration with Edo State Security Corps and local hunters, promptly mobilised men to the area.

“On sighting the operatives, the suspected kidnappers opened fire, leading to a gun duel during which the operatives overpowered them and one suspected kidnapper was neutralised. One AK-47 rifle with 10 rounds of live ammunition was recovered, while the bush is being combed for possible arrests and recovery of additional arms. Monitoring and intelligence efforts remain ongoing.

“On 16th September 2026 at about 14:00hrs, personnel of 195 Battalion, Agenebode, stationed at Okpella, arrested one Mohammed Manfred Abdulramah, 32, of Okene, Kogi State, along the Auchi–Okene Expressway for suspected impersonation.

“The suspect, who was travelling from Warri, Delta State, to Okene, was found dressed in military camouflage trousers and a camouflage vest. During Police Investigation it was discovered that the suspect is not a military personnel and stole the uniform from a Navy officer based in Niger State. Preliminary investigation is ongoing.”

According to the statement, these operations underscore the Command’s sustained commitment to intelligence- led policing, rapid response and relentless pursuit of persons involved in kidnapping, violent crime, sexual offenses and other criminal activities across Edo state.

Ikoedem also said that the recovery of the stolen vehicles, the arrest of suspects and the disruption of criminal activities within the period under review demonstrate that the Command remains firmly on the trail of criminals and will continue to deploy all available resources to protect lives and property.

The statement reiterated the command’s call on members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information to the Police, assuring the people of Edo State that no effort would be spared in bringing perpetrators to justice and ensuring the safety and security of all residents.

Metro

Gunmen Launch Fresh Attack In Plateau, Kill Five, Injure Others Inside Market

Published

5 days ago

September 20, 2026

Editor

Gunmen in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State struck again at a vegetable market, killing five persons and injuring many others.

According to Nigerian Tribune, the gunmen attacked the market at about 8:45 p.m. on Friday when the traders were about closing for the day, opening fire at random on the people and forcing them towards various directions.

A source who escaped the attack told Sunday Tribune that in the confusion that ensued, some traders were injured and others hit by bullets, adding that the attack lasted for about 20 minutes.

The source said: “The unfortunate incident caused a pandemonium in Mangu town as people could not come out of their hiding even when the gunmen had gone. Five persons were killed and many were injured.”

President of the Mwaghavul Development Association (MDA), Deacon BulusDabit, who confirmed the incident, said the gunmen also shot at vehicles leaving the vegetable market.

Dabit said the identities of the victims were not immediately known, adding that several passers-by were injured and were being treated at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.

He said: “Around 8:30 p.m. on Friday, gunmen shot several times at a vehicle leaving the vegetable market in Mangu..

“The names of the victims are not known yet. Several passers-by were injured and are being treated at the Jos University Teaching Hospital.”

The attack came only hours after the MDA raised concerns over continued threats to communities in Mangu, claiming that more than 750 Mwaghavul people had been killed since 2023.

In a related development, the Plateau State Police Command has recovered 10 rifles, 54 live ammunition and arrested 25 suspects in its August operations.

Addressing newsmen, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayodeji Faniyan, said those arrested were linked to various offences, including arms possession, kidnapping, drug abuse, armed robbery, theft and sexual offences.

Faniyan said the achievements formed part of the command’s intelligence-led policing strategy, proactive crime prevention measures, rapid response to security threats and strengthened collaboration with communities and other security agencies.

Metro

Ondo Herbal Drink Death Toll Rises To 49, 170 Affected

Published

1 week ago

September 17, 2026

Editor

The death toll from the consumption of suspected toxic herbal drinks in Ondo State has risen to 49, with no fewer than 170 people reportedly affected across three local government areas of the state.

The latest development came barely days after 24 residents of Araromi-Obu and Odigbo communities in Odigbo Local Government Area were reported dead after consuming the suspected herbal substance.

Chairman of Odigbo Local Government, Mr Taiwo Adegoroye, had disclosed that eight people initially died in Araromi-Obu while 16 others lost their lives in Odigbo town.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, who confirmed the figure rose from 29 to 49 as of Wednesday, said the situation in the council area had subsided following the prompt intervention of the state and local government medical teams.

Ajaka, while speaking on the telephone, told our reporter that the health crisis had spread to Irele Local Government Area, where eight people had reportedly died.

He said, “As we are now, Irele is where we have a serious issue. Our people were there and many people have died. About eight people have been confirmed as of last night.

“So all the people that have been affected altogether now is about 170, those that have been admitted and those that have died.”

Ajaka reiterated that the crisis was linked to the consumption of ethanol by the victims, adding that the state government had intensified efforts to prevent its spread to other parts of the state.

He said medical and health officials, alongside other stakeholders, had been deployed to communities whenever reports of suspected cases were received.

“We are always fast about it. Wherever and whenever we hear the report of the issue, our teams are already in Irele as I’m talking to you now,” the commissioner said.

Meanwhile, the Ondo State Police Command has arrested a man, Oloruntoba Babatunde, popularly known as “Meko,” over the production of a herbal liquid substance suspected to have caused the deaths.

The command also arrested 14 other persons for allegedly violating the ban imposed on the sale of herbal products in the affected areas.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abayomi Jimoh, the police said investigation had commenced into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The command added that the bodies of the deceased were undergoing necessary medical and forensic procedures.

“The Ondo State Police Command has contained the situation arising from reported cases of sudden and unnatural deaths involving youths in Araromi-Obu, Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, following sustained security, medical and investigative interventions,” the statement said.

It added that the arrest of Babatunde followed allegations that he was involved in the production of substances suspected to contain methanol.

The police said the suspect was assisting investigators in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the deaths.