The Edo State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects linked to kidnapping and pipeline vandalism and rescued three abducted victims during separate security operations across the state.
In a statement on Sunday by spokesperson Eno Ikoedem, the command said the successes followed targeted intelligence and coordinated bush-combing operations in Esan West and Owan West Local Government Areas.
On January 26, police operatives in Ekpoma arrested five suspects for allegedly vandalizing an NNPC pipeline at Uhiele Community. An excavator believed to have been used in the act was recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest fleeing suspects and retrieve stolen pipes.
On January 28, a joint operation involving police tactical teams, the drone unit, Edo State Security Corps, hunters, and vigilantes raided the Idoha/Ewu Forest, uncovering three suspected kidnappers’ camps. Eight suspects were arrested, and five mobile phones suspected to belong to victims were recovered.
On January 29, a distress call led to the rescue of a farmer and his two wives kidnapped from their farm in Egoro Amende Community, Ekpoma. A joint rescue team, comprising police, soldiers, security corps, vigilantes, hunters, and community youths, forced the kidnappers to flee, abandoning the victims unhurt. Items recovered at the scene included cutlasses, a solar panel, torch, rope, and palm oil.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged the public to continue providing timely information to support proactive policing.
In related operations, the command recently arrested 14 suspects over alleged cult-related activities, including the hijacking of a corpse and attacks on commercial motorcyclists.
