Edo Police Uncover Bodies of Kidnapped Victims, Nab Suspected Abductor

In a significant breakthrough, the Edo State Police Command has successfully recovered the bodies of two victims who were kidnapped and murdered by their abductors in Ovia North-East Local Government Area. According to the command's spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the bodies were discovered following the arrest of a suspected member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate, Musa Haruna. The 23-year-old suspect, who sustained a gunshot injury during his arrest, led police operatives to a thick forest in Ogwa Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, where the decomposing bodies were found on June 2, 2026. One of the bodies has been identified as that of 66-year-old Mrs. Favour Nosakhare, who was abducted alongside two of her family members in Iyowa Community on May 9, 2026. The kidnappers had contacted the family via a video call, demanding ransom and subjecting the victims to brutal torture. The Edo State Police Command launched an intensive investigation and rescue operation, leveraging tactical and technological resources, including drone surveillance. On May 19, 2026, operatives busted the kidnapping gang along the powerline within the forest, engaging them in a fierce gun duel. Although the suspects fled with gunshot injuries, a blood-soaked jacket and expended AK-47 ammunition were recovered from the scene. The command's Commissioner, CP Monday Agbonika, commended the operatives for their resilience and professionalism, appealing to the public to provide timely and credible information to aid in the apprehension of the remaining suspects. The police are confident that the ongoing investigation will lead to the arrest of all members of the notorious syndicate, ensuring the safety of all citizens in the state.