Edo Police Shoot Suspected Kidnapper, Arrest Accomplice

The Edo State Police have shot dead a suspected kidnapper and arrested another member of the gang involved in the abduction of a woman at a vegetable market in Benin City.

The state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, announced this on Thursday while presenting suspects at the command headquarters in Benin City.

Agbonika said the Intelligence Response Team, acting on reliable information, arrested a 32-year-old suspect named Marvelous Issac, in connection with the kidnapping that took place on June 14, 2026.

He added that another suspect, known simply as Precious, was killed during a gun battle with police officers.

“After a kidnapping report from the Vegetable Market in Benin City on June 14, 2026, the Intelligence Response Team, Edo Command, acted on reliable information and arrested Marvelous Issac, who is 32 years old and part of the kidnapping gang,” the CP said.

“During the operation, another suspect named Precious was killed during an exchange of gunfire with the police.”

The police commissioner mentioned that a red Lexus RX 350 with the registration number EKP 848 AE, which was allegedly used in the crime, was recovered from the suspects.

He also said the arrested suspect confessed that the vehicle, along with a pump-action shotgun and two live cartridges, was used during the kidnapping.

Agbonika further revealed that N2.25 million, believed to be from the crime, and a motorcycle were also seized.

He stated that investigations are still ongoing, and efforts are being made to catch other gang members who are still on the run.

During the parade, Governor Monday Okpebholo praised the security agencies for quickly arresting the suspects and emphasized his government's commitment to eliminating kidnapping and cult-related crimes in the state.

The governor announced plans to set up a special court to handle cases involving kidnappers and cultists to ensure faster trials and convictions.

He also warned that he would not hesitate to sign the death warrant for any kidnapper found guilty under the law.

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

“Within 24 hours, those guys were caught. The money they planned to use for ransom was recovered and used to track them. During the operation, there was a gunfight, and one of them was killed. Two others are still on the run, and one is in custody.

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

“We are proposing a special court to try kidnappers and cultists so that their cases can be resolved within weeks. I will not hesitate to sign the death warrant for any convict, and such persons will be publicly shown. I will have no regrets about it.”