Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State Police Command has arrested three additional suspects and recovered ₦2,050,000 in cash linked to the June 14 kidnapping of a woman at the Vegetable Market off Airport Road in Benin City, the command announced on Tuesday. The breakthrough, which brings the total number of arrests in the case to five, followed a series of coordinated operations by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed that operatives on June 18 arrested the principal suspect, Marvelous Isaac, a 32-year-old male, during a gun duel, while another suspect identified as Precious was neutralised in the process. Items recovered from the suspects at the time of the arrest included a Lexus RX 350 SUV with registration number EKP 848 AE, red in colour, which was confessed to have been used in the kidnapping operation; a pump-action shotgun; two live cartridges; a cash sum of ₦2,050,000; and one motorcycle.
The investigation, however, did not end there. On June 20, operatives arrested additional members of the organised crime syndicate, namely Gift Raphael, a 27-year-old female, who led operatives to the arrest of Wisdom Michael and Rufus Michael, both male, during separate operations conducted within Benin City and parts of Delta State. The police said all suspects have made confessional statements linking them to the vegetable market incident and other criminal operations within the state.
The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for their professionalism, courage, promptness and dedication in tracking down the criminal network. He assured residents of Edo State that the police would not stop until all criminal elements are brought to justice. The Command further urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information, while remaining vigilant and security conscious at all times.
The vegetable market kidnapping, which occurred on June 14, had sent shockwaves through the state capital when a woman was abducted in broad daylight after leaving a church service with her family. The swift and coordinated response by the IRT has been hailed as a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in Edo State. As investigations continue, the police have assured the public that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the inquiry.
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