The police in Edo State have caught a suspected kidnapper and found the body of one of three women who were taken from their home in Ovia North-East Local Government Area.
The police shared this news in a tweet on Wednesday.
According to a statement from the police spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, the victims are Mrs Favour Nosakhare, 66, Mrs Annabel Osasere, 28, and Miss Rejoice Otikpere, 26. Armed kidnappers took them from their home in Iyowa Community on May 9 and moved them to a nearby forest.
The police said the kidnappers later contacted the victims’ families through a video call. During this call, the families saw the women being tortured.
Police operation
The police reported that the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), along with the Drone Unit, started intensive rescue operations and aerial surveillance in forests and criminal hideouts in Ovia North-East and nearby areas.
On May 19, operatives tracked the gang to a spot along a powerline corridor in a forest.
"Operatives busted the gang along a powerline within the forest. The suspects shot at the police, but they were overpowered by the better firepower of the operatives," the police said.
Ms Ikoedem mentioned that the suspects ran away with gunshot wounds, leaving behind a blood-soaked jacket and spent AK-47 bullets.
Suspect arrested, body recovered
The police said their investigation led to the arrest of Musa Haruna, 23, who had a gunshot wound.
The police called him a member of a gang known for kidnapping and robbery along the Benin-Lagos Road and Old Benin-Akure Road.
According to Ms Ikoedem, the suspect admitted to being part of the crime and took the investigators to a forest in Ogwa Community, where two decomposing bodies were found on June 2.
"One of the bodies has been identified as that of Mrs Favour Nosakhare by her family. She was one of the victims taken during the incident on May 9, 2026," the police said.
Manhunt continues
The police stated that they are still working to catch other members of the gang.
"Tactical and intelligence-led operations have increased, so the Command is sure that the other suspects will be caught soon," the statement added.
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