Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have successfully rescued four kidnap victims and apprehended ten members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate, including its kingpin, in a major operation utilizing cutting-edge technology.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, during a press briefing held in Benin City on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
According to Commissioner Agbonika, the victims, Mrs. Ezighode Ebosele and her 14-year-old son, Wisdom Ebosele, and Mr. Okarewagba Benth, 54, and his wife, Mrs. Okarewagba Ruth, 50, were rescued unharmed thanks to the strategic deployment of drone technology, high-tech surveillance gadgets, digital tracking systems, and intelligence-led policing strategies.
The mother and son, Mrs. Ebosele and Wisdom, were abducted on May 1, 2026, from Udomi Quarters, Irrua, in the Esan Central Local Government Area. The couple, Mr. and Mrs. Okarewagba, were kidnapped on May 8, 2026, at approximately 5:10 pm along the Benin-Akure Road, between the Ozoguo and Obazuwa communities.
Commissioner Agbonika stated that upon receiving reports of the kidnappings, the Command immediately deployed operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, equipped with combat drones, tracking devices, and other technological assets, to conduct a coordinated rescue operation.
Sustained aerial surveillance and technical intelligence, combined with the lawful interception of communications used for ransom negotiations, led to the successful rescue of the victims and the arrest of the notorious kingpin, Yusuf Hassan, also known as “Dogo Yellow,” and nine other members of his criminal enterprise.
The police investigation revealed that the syndicate operated a highly organized network with dedicated informants, food suppliers, victim trackers, ransom negotiators, and armed enforcers. Shockingly, the group was also actively recruiting new members into their criminal operations.
The kingpin, Yusuf Hassan, was apprehended within the premises of a known criminal hideout located on the outskirts of Ubiaja. The property, belonging to one of the syndicate’s collaborators, has since been demolished and confiscated by the Edo State Government, in accordance with the state’s laws on kidnapping.
In a related development on May 8, 2026, Edo State Police operatives foiled an attempted kidnapping along the Benin-Akure Road between Ozoguo and Obazuwa communities. Police operatives on intensive crime prevention patrol and stop-and-search duty at Obazuwa responded swiftly upon hearing gunshots and sighting the suspected kidnappers.
An exchange of gunfire ensued as the operatives, along with military personnel stationed at Obarenren, advanced toward the scene, forcing the criminals to flee into the nearby forest. During this operation, Mr. Okarewagba Benth and his wife, Mrs. Okarewagba Ruth, both of the Iyowa Community, were rescued unhurt.
Commissioner Agbonika added that bush combing operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, while the area remains calm and under close security surveillance. He emphasized that the deployment of technology has significantly improved the Command’s operational effectiveness, especially in combating kidnapping and violent crimes across Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts, particularly in areas such as Uromi, Ewato, Emu, Okwesan, Ugboha, and the entire Esan South-East axis.
