The Edo State Police Command has arrested 113 suspected kidnappers in Edo North and Edo Central Local Government Areas, the command confirmed on Thursday.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, the command announced that the arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation in the early hours of Thursday at about 3:00 a.m.
The statement read in part, “Acting on credible intelligence that ransom proceeds from kidnapping activities were being discreetly received and coordinated at identified ‘Zangos’ in Agbede and Iruekpen, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led a formidable joint task force comprising operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, vigilante groups, and local hunters in a synchronized enforcement action.
“Coordinated raids on the identified zango settlements were carried out where actionable intelligence indicated that suspected kidnappers and their collaborators converged to receive ransom payments, regroup, and blend with unsuspecting members of the public. The raids yielded the arrest of 113 suspects, all of whom are currently undergoing thorough profiling to ascertain their level of involvement.”
The PPRO also stated that those found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
Agbonika reaffirmed the command’s commitment to an unrelenting and uncompromising campaign against kidnapping networks, adding that security personnel would not only target armed elements in the forests but would also step up efforts to destroy their networks of financial and human support throughout the state.
He also urged citizens to maintain their vigilance and give security services timely, reliable information, promising that whatever intelligence they provide will be kept private.
“The Edo State Police Command remains firm, proactive, and battle-ready to safeguard lives and property. There will be no sanctuary for kidnappers or their collaborators anywhere in the state,” Agbonika said.
Days prior to the operation, two of the daughters of a high-ranking palace chief in Iduah Kingdom’s Esan West Local Government Area were reportedly kidnapped and executed by gunmen.
Sources claim that Chief Jimah Jacob Ogboi was shot at close range at his home on Monday night and that his wife was gravely hurt in an attack using machetes and other weapons. Lucky, one of the chief’s sons, said that the incident happened while he was out making a purchase.
