Edo police crackdown led to the arrest of 55 suspected kidnappers and the rescue of 58 victims, CP Agbonika says

The Edo State Police Command says it arrested 55 suspected kidnappers and rescued 58 victims between March and May 2026 as part of intensified operations against violent crimes across the state.

Also read: Edo Police Rescue Kidnapping Victim, Arrest 10 Suspects

Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the operational scorecard of the command during a press briefing in Benin City.

Agbonika said the Edo police crackdown also led to the arrest of 15 suspected cultists, eight armed robbery suspects, 15 murder suspects, three persons linked to unlawful possession of firearms and 23 suspects connected to rape and defilement cases.

According to him, the command has intensified the deployment of drones, surveillance gadgets, digital tracking systems and intelligence-led policing to combat kidnapping and violent crimes, particularly in Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts.

The police commissioner highlighted the rescue of Ezighode Ebosele and her 14-year-old son, Wisdom Ebosele, who were abducted on May 1 at Udoni Quarters in Irrua.

Agbonika said operatives used aerial surveillance technology and technical intelligence to rescue the victims unharmed and arrest the alleged gang leader, Yusuf Hassan, popularly known as “Dogo Yellow,” alongside nine other suspected gang members.

Investigations, according to the police, revealed that the syndicate operated an organised criminal structure involving informants, food suppliers, ransom negotiators and armed enforcers.

The commissioner added that the alleged kingpin was apprehended at a hideout near Ubiaja, which was later demolished and confiscated by the Edo State Government under the state’s anti-kidnapping law.

“In the period under review, 55 suspected kidnappers were arrested, and 58 victims were rescued between March and May 2026,” Agbonika said.

The commissioner further disclosed that operatives foiled another kidnap attempt on May 8 along the Benin-Akure Road between Ozoguo and Obazuwa communities.

He said police officers, supported by military personnel, engaged the suspected kidnappers in a gun battle and rescued Okarewagba Benth and his wife, Ruth Benth without injuries.

Agbonika said bush combing operations were ongoing to track down fleeing members of the gang.

During the operations, the command also recovered two AK-47 rifles, six pump-action guns, seven locally-made firearms and 13 cartridges alongside other ammunition.

The police commissioner expressed concern over the increasing cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across the state.

“Within the last two months alone, the command has arrested over 23 suspects linked to rape, defilement and other SGBV-related offences. This trend is painful, unacceptable and deeply concerning,” he said.

Agbonika assured residents that the command would sustain aggressive operations against criminal elements while strengthening tactical operations and investigative professionalism.

The command also announced the launch of a new tactical outfit known as the Violent Crime Response Unit aimed at tackling kidnapping, armed robbery and organised violent crimes.

Also read: Edo Police Rescue Kidnapping Victim, Arrest 10 Suspects

Agbonika described the unit as a specialised intelligence-driven squad established in line with directives from Olatunji Disu to strengthen operational response to emerging security threats nationwide.