Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested 113 suspected kidnappers and collaborators in a sweeping midnight operation targeting ransom collection hubs in Edo State.
The operation, carried out at about 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, saw security forces storm “Zango” settlements in Agbede and Iruekpen, following intelligence that the locations were being used to coordinate and receive ransom payments from kidnapping activities.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, personally led the joint task force comprising police operatives, the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilantes, and local hunters.
Security sources said the targeted raids were based on credible intelligence indicating that suspected kidnappers and their networks converged at the settlements to collect ransom proceeds, regroup, and blend into the civilian population.
The coordinated crackdown led to the arrest of 113 suspects, all of whom are currently undergoing profiling to determine their level of involvement in kidnapping operations.
Police authorities warned that those found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
Speaking after the operation, Agbonika reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to dismantle kidnapping networks across the state, stressing that security agencies would go beyond forest hideouts to disrupt the financial and logistical backbone of criminal groups.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible intelligence, assuring that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The Edo State Police Command declared that it remains battle-ready, warning that there will be no safe haven for kidnappers or their collaborators anywhere in the state.
