Nigeria: Police arrest 6 suspected kidnappers in Edo, recover weapons
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Police in Edo State have arrested six suspected kidnappers and recovered weapons and cash believed to be proceeds from their criminal activities.
According to the authorities, the arrests took place in Edo North, an area that has seen multiple cases of kidnapping and violence in recent weeks.
In one incident, security operatives conducting a stop-and-search operation at Aviele intercepted three suspects, identified as Jamilu Idris (20), Usman Shuaibu (24), and Yahuza Usman (20). A search of the suspects led to the recovery of an English-made Beretta pistol, a dagger, and a mobile phone.
Further investigations revealed that they were part of a gang responsible for kidnappings and armed robberies in the area. Authorities are working to apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate.
In a separate operation at Auchi, police and vigilante members intercepted two men at a checkpoint. One suspect, Adamu Usman, was arrested while his accomplice fled. A search led to the discovery of over ₦1.3 million, believed to be ransom money, along with five SIM cards, two knives, and other items.
Two additional suspects, Iliyasu Abubakar (19) and Safiyanu Mohammed (20), were later arrested after investigations linked them to a previous kidnapping incident in which a victim and his mother-in-law were abducted and released after a ₦10 million ransom payment.
Authorities have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to dismantle criminal networks and bring all perpetrators to justice.
