BENIN CITY, NIGERIA — The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old Nigerien national, Suleman Harruna, and two other suspects in connection with kidnapping activities in Ubiaja, Esan South-East Local Government Area.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the arrests followed intensified operations ordered by Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika after reports of rising kidnapping incidents in communities across Edo Central Senatorial District.
Harruna, a citizen of the Republic of Niger residing in Kaba, Kogi State, was arrested on February 17, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. by operatives of the Ubiaja Division through technical intelligence.
The suspect had earlier been placed on the command’s wanted list and was identified by members of the Hausa/Fulani community as a member of a notorious kidnapping gang.
During interrogation, Harruna made useful confessions and has been assisting police in ongoing investigations.
In a separate operation on February 20, 2026, another suspect, Ibrahim Kodo, 25, from Illushi Community, was arrested in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army.
A kidnapped victim identified Kodo as one of three armed men who abducted him from his farm on June 2, 2025.
Similarly, on February 26, 2026, operatives arrested Orsee Iorzaa, 32, of Omi Camp in Illushi, through intelligence-led surveillanc.
A victim identified him as one of a five-man gang who invaded his home and kidnapped him on February 21, 2026.
The Commissioner of Police commended the Divisional Police Officer of Ubiaja Division and his team for their professionalism and sustained operational tempo, which led to these successes
. The command urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing credible and timely information to help rid the area of criminal elements.
Investigations are ongoing to recover weapons used by the suspects and apprehend other members of the syndicate.
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