Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, investigative Journalist at Sele Media Africa.
The Edo State Police Command has arrested 113 suspected kidnappers during a coordinated early-morning security operation in Agbede and Iruekpen, communities in Edo Central Senatorial District, marking one of the most significant crackdowns on kidnapping networks in southern Nigeria this year.The intelligence-led raid, carried out at approximately 3:00 a.m. on February 26, 2026, targeted identified settlements in Agbede and Iruekpen where security agencies allege ransom payments were received and coordinated. The operation was led by the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, who supervised tactical units deployed for the exercise. Intelligence-driven operation according to police sources, the operation followed weeks of surveillance and actionable intelligence linking certain enclaves in the two towns to organized kidnapping rings operating across Edo Central and adjoining areas. Officers reportedly cordoned off strategic entry and exit points before conducting house-to-house searches in identified locations. Authorities said the suspects are currently undergoing profiling and interrogation, with investigations focused on dismantling broader networks allegedly responsible for abductions, ransom negotiations, and financial coordination. While the police have not yet released a full breakdown of recovered items or specific charges, officials described the raid as part of an intensified statewide strategy to curb kidnapping and restore public confidence in security operations. Edo’s security context kidnapping for ransom has remained a persistent security challenge in parts of Nigeria, including Edo State, where major road corridors and semi-rural communities have been vulnerable to criminal networks. Security analysts note that coordinated enforcement actions—particularly those driven by intelligence gathering—have increasingly become central to law enforcement strategy across the country. National and international media outlets such as Premium Times, The Guardian Nigeria, Vanguard, and BBC News have consistently reported on the evolving security landscape in Edo and other states grappling with kidnapping and banditry. These reports underscore the economic and social toll of ransom-driven crimes and the pressure on state authorities to produce measurable results. Balancing enforcement and due process security experts caution that while large-scale arrests demonstrate operational reach, the long-term success of anti-kidnapping efforts depends on thorough investigations, successful prosecutions, and sustained community engagement. Under Nigerian law, suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction. Residents in Edo central have long called for stronger security presence, particularly in communities perceived as transit points or operational bases for criminal groups. Observers say the outcome of ongoing investigations—and potential prosecutions—will be closely watched as a test of institutional resolve. Regional implications beyond Edo, kidnapping remains a broader national concern, affecting interstate travel, agricultural productivity, and investment confidence. Coordinated enforcement actions like the Agbede and Iruekpen operation signal an attempt by authorities to disrupt ransom economies that have flourished amid economic hardship and weak rural policing infrastructure. As investigations continue, the Edo State Police Command has urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies, reinforcing the role of community intelligence in combating organized crime. Sources: Premium Times; The Guardian Nigeria; Vanguard; BBC News.
Afilawos Magana Sur is a journalist from Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State, currently based in Bauchi metropolis. He is known for his commitment to accurate, ethical, and responsible journalism, with a focus on reporting issues of public relevance and community development.
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