The Edo State Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers during a joint clearance operation carried out deep inside the Agbede Forest in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, followed actionable intelligence provided by a kidnap victim who identified the forest camp where he had been held captive.
Confirming the development in a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, said the raid demonstrated the resolve of security agencies to tackle crime at its roots.
“In continuation of the joint clearance operations, a meticulously executed night operation that underscores the resolve of synergised security forces to confront crime at its roots was conducted,” Ikoedem said.
She explained that acting on the intelligence, the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, personally led a joint team comprising operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), and local hunters into the forest.
According to the police spokesperson, the operatives drove for about three hours to the last accessible motorable road before continuing on foot through dense forest paths.
“From that point, the operatives advanced on foot, navigating dense forest paths and crossing three locally constructed wooden bridges to reach the identified camp. The silent advance, which lasted close to two additional hours, ensured tactical surprise and prevented any compromise of the mission,” she said.
Ikoedem disclosed that the team arrived at the camp at about 3:45 a.m., where they cordoned off the area and blocked all escape routes.
She said a thorough search of the camp led to the arrest of six suspects identified as Mikel Gendaga, 41, from Benue State; Yusuf Abubakar, 34, from Kano State; Isyaka Abraham, 30, from Kogi State; Isyaka Abubakar, 37, from Kano State; Mohammed Sumo, 20, from Kano State; and Mohammed Abubakar, 25, from Kano State.
“The suspects are currently being profiled and subjected to intensive investigation by officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Benin City, for diligent prosecution,” she added.
Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police praised the courage and discipline of the personnel involved and highlighted the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration.
He warned criminal elements that forests in Edo State would no longer serve as safe havens.
“The Command is determined to take the fight against organised crime to the abode of suspected criminals at their most remote locations,” the police commissioner stated.
The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring citizens that intelligence-led operations would remain central to efforts at safeguarding lives and property across the state.
