Police, army raid Edo forest midnight, arrest six suspected kidnappers
The Edo State Police Command has announced the arrest of six suspected kidnappers in a joint midnight raid of Agbede Forest in Etsako East local government area of Edo State, by officers of the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
This was disclosed by the spokesperson of the Command Eno Ikoedem in a statement on Thursday, stating that the operation was carried out through the intelligence provided by a kidnapped victim who was able to identify the forest camp he was held captive.
The statement read in part, “The Edo State Police Command, in the early hours of Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, carried out a daring raid deep in the Agbede Forest, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, leading to the arrest of six suspects.
“The operation was launched following a critical intelligence breakthrough provided by a kidnapped victim who was able to clearly identify the forest camp where he had been held captive.
“Acting on this lead, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, personally led a formidable joint team comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Edo State Security Corps, and local hunters into the heart of the forest under the cover of darkness.
“The joint team drove for approximately three hours until the end of the last accessible motorable road. From that point, the operatives advanced on foot, navigating dense forest paths and crossing three to four locally constructed wooden bridges to reach the identified camp.
“Upon arrival at the location at about 3:45 a.m., the area was swiftly cordoned off, effectively cutting off all escape routes. A thorough sweep of the camp resulted in the arrest of six suspects identified as: Mikel Gendaga ‘M’, aged 41 years, from Benue State; Yusuf Abubakar ‘M’, aged 34 years, from Kano State; Isyaka Abraham ‘M’, aged 30 years, from Kogi State; Isyaka Abubakar ‘M’, aged 37 years, from Kano State; Mohammed Sumo ‘M’, aged 20 years, from Kano State, and Mohammed Abubakar ‘M’, aged 25 years, from Kano State.”
The police spokesperson said the suspects are currently being investigated and profiled by officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Benin, in preparation for their prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police applauded the courage and inter-agency collaboration displayed by all personnel involved, while describing the operation as a clear message to criminals in the state, as well as the Command’s determination to take the fight against crime to the habitats of criminal elements.
He further solicited the support of the public in providing security agencies with timely and credible information, while urging them to remain vigilant and assuring them of their continuous safety.
