Police arrest 119 suspects, rescue 58 kidnapped victims in 2 months

The Edo State Police Commissioner, Monday Agbonika, has disclosed that the command arrested 119 suspects allegedly involved in various crimes between March and April 2026 in the state. He also said that the command rescued 58 kidnapped victims unhurt within the period under review. Agbonika disclosed this in Benin while briefing journalists on the command’s […]

The Edo State Police Commissioner, Monday Agbonika, has disclosed that the command arrested 119 suspects allegedly involved in various crimes between March and April 2026 in the state.

He also said that the command rescued 58 kidnapped victims unhurt within the period under review.

Agbonika disclosed this in Benin while briefing journalists on the command’s achievements between March and April 2026.

Giving the breakdown of the arrests, he said 55 suspects were nabbed over alleged kidnapping, 15 for cultistism, eight for armed robbery while 15 suspects were arrested over alleged murder.

Agbonika added that three suspects were arrested for unlawful possession of firearms while 23 were arrested for rape and defilement.

“The command was able to rescue the 58 victims unhurt following  sustained aerial surveillance, technical intelligence and lawful interception of communication used for ransom negotiation,” he said.

He listed the items recovered from the suspects to include two AK-47 rifles, six pump-action guns, seven locally-made firearms, 13 cartridges and other ammunition.

He said the criminal elements operated an organised criminal enterprise with dedicated informants, food suppliers, victim trackers, ransom negotiators and armed enforcers, noting “the syndicate is also actively recruiting new members into their criminal operations.”