Edo State Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika and operatives of the Intelligence Response Team have recorded a significant breakthrough in the Edo Police Benin Kidnap Case, arresting four suspects and killing one alleged gang member linked to the abduction of a woman at the Vegetable Market off Airport Road in Benin City.
The Edo State Police Command announced the development on Tuesday through its Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, who detailed a series of coordinated operations carried out following the June 14 kidnapping incident that shocked traders and residents in the state capital.
According to the police, the first major operation took place on June 18 when officers acting on intelligence confronted suspected kidnappers.
During the operation, Marvelous Isaac, 32, was arrested, while another suspect identified only as Precious was killed in what police described as a gun battle.
Investigators recovered a Lexus RX 350 sport utility vehicle with registration number EKP 848 AE, which police said was used during the abduction.
Officers also seized a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, ₦2.05 million in cash and a motorcycle.
Further operations on June 20 led to the arrest of three additional suspects identified as Gift Raphael, 27, Wisdom Michael and Rufus Michael.
Police said the arrests were made during separate raids in Benin City and parts of Delta State.
Eno Ikoedem said all four suspects had provided confessional statements linking themselves to the market kidnapping and other alleged criminal activities within Edo State.
“The Edo State Police Command wishes to update the general public on its breakthrough into the investigation of the kidnapping incident which occurred at the Vegetable Market off Airport Road in Benin City on June 14, 2026,” the statement said.
The successful arrests represent a powerful development in an investigation that attracted widespread public attention after videos and eyewitness accounts of the abduction circulated online.
The victim was reportedly shopping with her husband and children at the busy Vegetable Market when armed men arrived and forcibly took her away.
A witness captured in a widely shared video described the incident as the first kidnapping she had personally witnessed.
Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika praised the officers involved in the operation, commending their professionalism, courage and prompt response in tracking members of the suspected criminal network.
“The police will not stop until all criminal elements are brought to justice,” Agbonika said, while assuring residents that efforts to improve security across Edo State would continue.
Kidnapping has remained a major security concern across several parts of southern Nigeria in recent years, prompting increased collaboration between law enforcement agencies, local communities and traditional institutions.
Earlier this month, the Benin monarchy also mobilised traditional leaders and community stakeholders in support of ongoing efforts to curb abductions and other violent crimes in the state.
The latest breakthrough is likely to strengthen public confidence in ongoing security operations, although authorities have indicated that investigations remain active as officers work to identify and apprehend any remaining members of the suspected syndicate.
Police urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies and to remain vigilant as efforts continue to tackle organised crime across Edo State.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
