The Edo State Police Command has recorded major security breakthroughs with the arrest of 13 suspects linked to pipeline vandalism and kidnapping, alongside the successful rescue of three abducted victims during coordinated operations in Esan West and Owan West Local Government Areas.
The operations, driven by targeted intelligence, swift response and sustained bush-combing exercises, were carried out in line with the security directives of the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, to dismantle criminal networks and deny offenders safe haven across the state.
On Monday, January 26, 2026, at about 9.30 a.m., police operatives attached to the Ekpoma Division swung into action following credible intelligence on the vandalism of a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) pipeline at Uhiele Community, Ekpoma.
Five suspects were arrested at the scene. They are Omoregie Osayi (39), Mathias Okhae (58), John Akheoumukhan (50), Akhabue Smart (65) and Godday Abumere (65). An excavator allegedly used to damage the pipeline was recovered from the suspects.
Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate who escaped and to recover pipeline materials already carted away.
Two days later, in the early hours of Wednesday, January 28, at about 3.30 a.m., a large-scale bush-combing operation was launched in Idoha/Ewu Forest and other identified hideouts.
The operation involved command tactical teams, the police drone unit, Edo State Security Corps, hunters and vigilante groups. During the exercise, three tents suspected to be kidnappers’ camps were discovered, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.
Those arrested include Jokoro Sali (52), Buhari Ibrahim (32), Isah Abubakar (35), Shehu Ibrahim (25), Abdullahi Samar (18), Ibrahim Shaibu (19), Mohammed Joro (22) and Suleiman Sunana (35). Five mobile phones suspected to belong to kidnapped victims were recovered. Investigations are ongoing to track down other members of the kidnapping syndicate.
On Thursday, January 29, at about 7.30 a.m., the command received a distress call reporting the abduction of a farmer and his two wives from their farm in a remote part of Egoro Amende Community, Ekpoma.
The victims—Abraham Udewa, and his wives, Brinda Abraham and Anna Abraham, all from Benue State—were rescued following a swift joint operation led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ekpoma Division.
The rescue team comprised police officers, soldiers, Edo State Security Corps personnel, local vigilantes, hunters and community youths under the Community Safety Partnership programme. The intensive search covered Egoro Amende Forest, Igbira Farm Settlement and Ekeke Erah Forest in Owan West Local Government Area.
Police said the kidnappers fled on sighting the advancing security operatives, abandoning the victims, who were rescued unharmed. Items recovered at the scene included cutlasses, a solar panel, torchlight, canvas, rope, palm oil and a face cap. Follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Edo State Police Command reaffirmed its resolve to protect lives, secure critical infrastructure and dismantle organised criminal gangs across the state. Residents were urged to remain vigilant and support the police with timely and credible information to aid proactive policing.
The command also released its emergency and complaints lines, assuring the public of round-the-clock response to security concerns.
