By Ado Oyeyemi
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have recovered the remains of two kidnap victims allegedly murdered by their captors despite the payment of ransom, following a major operation that led to the arrest of a suspected member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate.
The victims were reportedly abducted from their residence in Isiukhu Community, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, during a raid by armed men on May 9, 2026.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the breakthrough came after the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect, Musa Haruna, who allegedly belongs to a gang involved in kidnapping and armed robbery activities along the Benin-Lagos and Old Benin-Akure road corridors.
According to the police, the abducted victims included 66-year-old Mrs Favour Nosakhare, Mrs Emmanuel Annabel Osasere, 28, and a domestic aide, Miss Rejoice Otikpere, 26.
Ikoedem said the kidnappers had contacted the victims’ relatives days after the abduction through a video call, during which the women were allegedly subjected to torture while ransom demands were made.
“The disturbing footage heightened public concern and prompted intensified efforts by the Edo State Police Command to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible,” she said.
She explained that operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, working alongside the command’s Drone Unit, launched coordinated tactical operations and aerial surveillance across forests and suspected criminal hideouts in Ovia North-East and neighbouring communities.
The police spokesperson revealed that on May 19, operatives tracked members of the gang to a forest area along a powerline route, where a gun battle ensued.
According to her, the suspects fled into the bush with gunshot wounds after being overwhelmed by police firepower. Security operatives recovered a bloodstained jacket and spent AK-47 ammunition from the scene, while surveillance efforts continued.
The investigation later led to the arrest of Haruna, who was found with a gunshot injury believed to have been sustained during the encounter.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to participating in the kidnapping operation and subsequently guided investigators to a forest in Ogwa Community, where two decomposing bodies were recovered on June 2.
One of the bodies was later identified by relatives as that of Mrs Nosakhare, one of the women abducted during the attack.
Police said efforts were ongoing to identify the second body and locate the remaining members of the syndicate, who are still at large.
The command added that intelligence-driven operations had been intensified across the state to ensure the arrest of all those connected to the crime.
Speaking after the discovery, Miss Annabelle Emmanuel, daughter of the deceased, alleged that the family had paid N11 million and supplied additional items demanded by the kidnappers in an attempt to secure her mother’s freedom.
Meanwhile, Haruna, who described himself as a cattle herder, claimed that the seven-member gang carried out several kidnapping operations along the Benin-Lagos and Benin-Akure expressways.
He further alleged that he was recruited into the criminal network by a gang member known simply as “Doctor.”
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The Edo State Police Command assured residents that efforts were underway to bring every member of the syndicate to justice.
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