Follow Us on Google
By John Ogunsemore
A Nigerien, Suleman Harruna, has been arrested by police in Edo State over alleged kidnapping.
Edo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Eno Ikoedem disclosed this in a Sunday statement.
Harruna, a 28-year-old resident of Kaba, Kogi State, was arrested around 6pm on February 17 by operatives of Ubiaja Division through technical intelligence.
The command spokesman said, “It would be recalled that earlier this year, following disturbing reports of kidnapping incidents in the surrounding communities in Edo Central, the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, personally led a strategic operational deployment to Edo Central, spent six days in the area from 16th to 22nd February 2026, carrying out on-the-spot security assessments, restrategising operational approaches and repositioning personnel for more effective policing.
“During this Operation, forests around Ubiaja were identified as one of the key areas of security concern and were accordingly placed under intensified surveillance and operational focus.
“Since the strategic deployment and operational restructuring, Ubiaja Division under the supervision of the Divisional Police Officer has continued to record notable successes in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.”
Ikoedem said Harruna’s arrest was one of those breakthroughs.
“The suspect, who had earlier been placed on the Command’s wanted list, was eventually apprehended during a security operation in the area.
“During interrogation, members of the Hausa/Fulani community were invited for identification and the suspect was identified as a member of a notorious kidnapping gang alongside one other.
“The suspect made useful confessions and has been aiding the police in ongoing investigations,” the police spokesman added.
He further disclosed that another suspect, 25-year-old Ibrahim Kodo of Illushi community was tracked down and arrested at about 5:30 pm on February 20 in collaboration with personnel of the Nigerian Army.
The command spokesman said Kodo was identified by a kidnapped victim as one among three armed men who kidnapped him at about 10 am on June 2, 2025, from his farm.
Ikoedem said yet another suspected kidnapper, 32-year-old Orsee Iorzaa of Omi Camp in Illushi through steady surveillance based on intelligence.
He said, “A kidnapped victim identified the suspect as one of the five-man gang who invaded his home with guns and kidnapped him on the 21st of February, 2026.
“Investigation is on top gear to recover their arms and apprehend other members of the syndicate.”
