Operatives from the Edo State Police Command have arrested Suleman Harruna, a 28-year-old Nigerien, along with two others, for their alleged involvement in kidnapping.
ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, stated that these arrests were made possible through a collaborative effort with the Nigerian Army and the Edo State Security Corps.
Ikoedem mentioned that the suspects were apprehended in Illushi and Ubiaja, located in the Esan South-East Local Government Area.
The Nigerien, who had previously been on the Command’s wanted list, was captured during a security operation in the area.
She explained that operatives from the Ubiaja Division arrested the suspect on February 17, 2026, around 6:00 pm, using technical intelligence.
The Command’s spokesperson further added that some of the victims who had been kidnapped identified the suspects.
“Following disturbing reports of kidnapping incidents in the surrounding communities in Edo Central, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led a strategic operational deployment to Edo Central.
“The commissioner spent six days in the area from 16th to 22nd February 2026, carrying out on-the-spot security assessments, restrategizing operational approaches and repositioning personnel for more effective policing.
“During this operation, forests around Ubiaja were identified as one of the key areas of security concern and were accordingly placed under intensified surveillance and operational focus.
“Since the strategic deployment and operational restructuring, Ubiaja Division under the supervision of the Divisional Police Officer has continued to record notable successes in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“One of such breakthroughs occurred on February 17, 2026 at about 1800hrs when operatives of Ubiaja Division through technical intelligence arrested a suspected kidnapper, Suleman Harruna ‘m’, aged 28, a national of the Republic of Niger who resides in Kaba, Kogi State.
“During interrogation, members of the Hausa/Fulani community were invited for identification and the suspect was identified as a member of a notorious kidnapping gang alongside one other.
“The suspect made useful confessions and has been aiding the police in ongoing investigations,” the police spokesperson said.
Ikoedem also reported that on February 20, 2026, around 5:50 pm, another suspect, Ibrahim Kodo from the Illushi community, was tracked down and arrested with the help of Nigerian Army personnel.
She stated that a kidnap victim identified Kodo as one of three armed men who had abducted him from his farm on June 2, 2025, at approximately 10:00 am.
“Similarly, on February 26, 2026, at about 9:00 am, another suspected kidnapper named Orsee Iorzaa of Omi Camp in Illushi was arrested through steady surveillance based on intelligence.
“A kidnapped victim identified the suspect as one of the five-man gang who invaded his home with guns and kidnapped him on February 21, 2026.
“Investigation is on top gear to recover their arms and apprehend other members of the syndicate.”
Ikoedem further revealed that on March 7, 2026, at about 8:25 am, police operatives, in collaboration with members of the Edo State Security Corps, conducted a bush-combing operation in the Onogholo and Akwocha forests.
She noted that during this operation, four suspected kidnappers fired upon the advancing security team but were overcome by the superior firepower of the operatives.
She clarified that one of the suspects was neutralized in the ensuing gunfight, while the other three escaped into the forest with gunshot wounds.
Ikoedem confirmed that items recovered from the scene included one single-barreled shotgun, one black facial mask, two live cartridges, and two expended cartridges.
She concluded by stating that bush-combing operations are still underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
