In a significant crackdown on kidnapping activities, the Edo State Police Command announced the arrest of 113 suspected kidnappers during a coordinated operation conducted on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The raid, which took place at approximately 3:00 AM, targeted “Zangos” in Agbede and Iruekpen, areas suspected of being used as meeting points for receiving ransom payments.
According to ASP Eno Ikoedem, Public Relations Officer of the Command, the operation was a joint effort involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), vigilante groups, and local hunters. The coordinated sweep was launched based on credible intelligence indicating that ransom proceeds from kidnapping operations were being discreetly received and coordinated at these identified locations.
Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led the joint task force, underscoring the seriousness with which the Command is addressing the issue of kidnapping in the state. The raids on the “zango” settlements were precise, targeting areas where intelligence suggested that suspected kidnappers and their collaborators converge to receive ransom, regroup, and blend into the local population.
The 113 suspects apprehended are currently undergoing thorough profiling to determine their level of involvement in kidnapping activities. Those found culpable will face the full force of the law, according to ASP Ikoedem.
Commissioner Agbonika has reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating kidnapping networks in Edo State. He emphasized that the police will not only target armed elements operating in forested areas but will also intensify efforts to dismantle their financial and logistical support systems throughout the state.
Agbonika urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring them that all intelligence received would be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
He affirmed that the Command remains proactive and fully prepared to safeguard lives and property, warning that there will be no safe haven for kidnappers or their accomplices within Edo State. The successful operation marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and enhance security across the state.