Police Smash Kidnap Syndicate Near Edo Varsity; Two Suspects Nabbed With Charms and Gunpowder as Kingpin ‘Best’ Flees Into the Bush

The Edo State Police Command has dealt a fresh blow to the kidnapping networks operating in the northern senatorial district, following a successful raid on a criminal hideout near the Edo State University in Iyamho. The operation, resulted in the arrest of two key suspects and the recovery of an arsenal of locally fabricated weapons and ritual items.

Acting on a tip-off regarding the activities of a gang led by a fugitive known as “Best,” a tactical team comprising the Iyamho Division and the Edo Special Security Squad moved into the “trenches” of the forest at approximately 10:35 a.m. While the suspected kingpin escaped the initial dragnet, his associates were not as lucky. Security operatives intercepted the duo as they were allegedly preparing for a fresh operation along the university corridor.

The items recovered from the scene tell a chilling story of the gang’s preparedness. Alongside two Dane guns and live ammunition, officers discovered assorted charms and gunpowder, suggesting a blend of physical weaponry and “spiritual fortification” used to intimidate victims. The discovery of a police woven headgear has also raised concerns about the suspects possibly impersonating security officials to lure unsuspecting commuters into their traps.

Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has directed a full-scale manhunt for the fleeing “Best.” Ikoedem noted that the command is leveraging “digital-age” intelligence and drone surveillance to comb the surrounding bushes. “We are sending a clear message: Edo will not be a safe haven for those who profit from the tears of others,” she stated.

The suspects are currently undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Benin City. As the 2027 transition cycle approaches and internal security remains a top priority for Governor Monday Okpebholo, the police have urged residents of Iyamho and Auchi to remain vigilant and report any “strange faces” in their communities to ensure that the remaining members of the cell are brought to justice.