Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested two suspected kidnappers in the Iyamho area near Edo State University, recovering a cache of weapons and incriminating items, including a live AK-47 round of ammunition, two Dane guns, a police woven headgear, and assorted charms. The arrests, which took place on Monday, April 27, 2026, at about 10:35 a.m., followed credible intelligence that the suspects were linked to kidnapping activities in the vicinity. The police swift response, led by the Divisional Police Officer of Iyamho Division, led to the apprehension of the suspects identified as Sani Kabir, 23, and Hamza Nuhu, 25, without any exchange of gunfire.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, detailed the items recovered from the suspects. Beyond the firearms and ammunition, the police also seized two cutlasses, one hunter’s headlamp, four cans of gunpowder, assorted charms, and several locally made bullets. The discovery of a police woven headgear has raised concerns about the possible impersonation of security personnel by criminal elements, a tactic that has been used in the past by kidnappers to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department for further discreet investigation and onward prosecution. In a statement, the Commissioner reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering resolve to ensure that Edo State never becomes a safe haven or breeding ground for kidnappers and other criminal elements. “The Command remains relentless in its offensive against violent crime and will not rest until every individual involved in kidnapping and related offences is apprehended, brought to justice, and made to face the full weight of the law,” the statement read.
The arrest in Iyamho is the latest in a series of successful operations by the Edo State Police Command against kidnapping syndicates operating within the state. In recent weeks, the Command has intensified its crackdown on violent crime, with tactical teams deployed across known black spots. On April 21, 2026, police operatives in the Ovia area arrested another kidnapping suspect and recovered a locally made pistol. The sustained pressure on criminal networks has been credited to intelligence-led policing and improved collaboration between the police and local vigilante groups.
The recovery of a live AK-47 round of ammunition is particularly significant, as it suggests a possible link to a wider network of armed criminals who have access to sophisticated weaponry. The AK-47 assault rifle is the weapon of choice for many bandit and kidnapping gangs operating in the North‑Central and South‑South regions, and the discovery of its ammunition in Edo State points to the infiltration of such weapons into the area. Security analysts have warned that the proliferation of illegal arms remains a major driver of violent crime, and the police have been working to trace the sources of these weapons.
The suspects, Sani Kabir and Hamza Nuhu, are currently in police custody and are being interrogated to determine the full extent of their criminal network. Sources within the Anti-Kidnapping Unit disclosed that the suspects are believed to have been involved in the abduction of several residents in the Iyamho and neighbouring communities, as well as along the Benin‑Auchi‑Okene highway, a corridor that has witnessed a spike in kidnapping incidents in recent months. The police have also recovered mobile phones from the suspects, which are being analysed for possible leads to other accomplices.
The Commissioner of Police commended the swift response and professionalism of the operatives, expressing gratitude to the Divisional Police Officer and his team for their gallantry. He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, as security remains a shared responsibility. The Command has set up dedicated phone lines for citizens to report suspicious activities, and assures that all information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The arrest has been welcomed by residents of Iyamho and the surrounding areas, who have lived under the shadow of kidnapping for months. A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our reporter that the police presence in the area has increased significantly in recent weeks, and that the arrest of the two suspects has brought some relief. “We have been living in fear. Just last month, a student of the university was abducted. We hope the police will continue this momentum,” he said. However, some residents have called for the establishment of a permanent police post within the university vicinity to prevent future attacks.
The Edo State Government has also expressed support for the police. In a brief statement, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, commended the security agencies for their efforts and urged them to sustain the pressure. The government has also promised to provide additional logistics and intelligence support to the police to enhance their operational capabilities.
The two suspects are expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations. They face multiple counts, including conspiracy to commit kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, and membership of an unlawful society. If convicted, they could face life imprisonment under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, which has been applied to kidnapping cases in several states.
The successful operation in Iyamho serves as a testament to the effectiveness of community‑policing partnerships and the value of actionable intelligence. As CP Monday Agbonika stated, the message is clear: Edo State is not a safe haven for criminals, and the long arm of the law will catch up with anyone who dares to threaten the lives and property of its citizens. For now, the two suspects remain in custody, and the police continue their search for the sources of the AK‑47 ammunition and the police headgear, determined to dismantle every layer of the criminal enterprise.
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