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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 18-year-old Obehi Odine for allegedly staging her own kidnap, as well as 11 others for allegedly being part of a kidnapping syndicate.
The Command, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Eno Ikoedem, said that exhibits, including guns, were recovered.
“A suspect, one Obehi Odine ‘F’, aged 18, was arrested for staging her own kidnap and demanding a ransom of ₦10 million.
“She has confessed to the crime, admitting that the incident was deliberately fabricated to extort money.
“In a related operation in Ubiaja, the Command recorded another major operational success as bush-combing strategy yielded success.
“The Divisional Police Officer, Ubiaja, personally led a coordinated bush-combing operation around Akwocha Camp and adjoining forest corridors, in collaboration with the Nigerian Military and the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC).
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“A concealed forest enclave identified by the drone squadron through intelligence generated from air surveillance as a suspected kidnapping and logistics base, was stormed. This resulted in the arrest 11 male suspects believed to be members of an organized kidnapping syndicate.
“Exhibits recovered include 24 dane guns, 17 cutlasses, three battle axes, gun powder, torchlights, mobile phones, solar panels, assorted charms, one motorcycle, and ₦209,700.00, among other exhibits,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has warned members of the public against engaging in false kidnapping reports and other deceptive acts.
He noted that such actions waste critical security resources, divert attention from genuine emergencies, create unnecessary panic, and undermine public confidence; hence anyone caught will be prosecuted accordingly.
Agbonika reiterated the Command’s resolve to sustain technology-driven policing, aggressive forest domination, and intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks across the state.
He also urged members of the public to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information through the following lines: Emergency Control Room: 08077773721, 08037646272; Public Complaints Bureau (PCB): 08150999335; Complaints Response Unit (CRU): 08100389992.
