Police nab 3 in connection with abduction, killing of 42-year-old man in Edo

Edo State Police Command has arrested three persons in connection with the kidnapping and killing of a 42-year-old, Edafe Oghenekome.

The Command also recovered the remains of the said Edafe Oghenekome in Igueladidi forest of Iguobazuwa, in Ovia West Local Government Area of the state.

DAILY POST reports that the Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, who disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday, March 3,2026 in Benin City said the suspects left the deceased’s remains in the forest to rot.

Ikoedem gave the names of the suspects as a 21-year-old, Abdulsalam Mohammadu, 45 years old, Kehinde Adetunji and 24 year old, Nasiru Yau.

She said the apprehension of Abdulsalam Mohammadu led to the arrest of the two others.

She alleged that Kehinde Adetunji, who is a syndicate’s local pointer is an indigene living in the same community with the deceased while Nasiru Yau is the supplier of food to the suspects in the bush.

The Command’s image maker, said the deceased was kidnapped alongside one Favour Ighasa from their residence on February 4, 2026, at Utese village, after Udo community, Ovia South West Local Government Area.

According to her, the Edo State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the investigation of a kidnapping incident reported to the Command on February 11, 2026.

“The report indicated that on February 4, 2026, two persons, Edafe Oghenekome ‘m’, aged 42 years, and one Favour Ighasa ‘f’ were kidnapped from their residence at Utese Village, after Udo Community, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.

“Subsequently, one of the victims, Favour Ighasa, regained her freedom on February 9, 2026, while the abductors ceased communication regarding the release of Edafe Kome.

“In line with the firm directives of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, that every kidnapping case must be thoroughly investigated to its logical conclusion, the Command resiliently continued the comprehensive investigation earlier launched into the matter.

“The sustained investigative and operational efforts led to the arrest of one Abdulsalam Mohammadu ‘m’, aged 21yrs, who disclosed the involvement of additional gang members, including one Kehinde Adetunji ‘m’, aged 45 as the syndicate’s local pointer, who is an indigene living in the community and Nasiru Yau ‘m’, aged 24yrs as the one who brings them food in the bush”, she said.

She added that the suspects have confessed their involvement in the kidnapping/ransom collection and the murder of the deceased.

She also added that further investigations led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles with breach numbers 1686 and 2357 and three Dane guns from the suspects.

Ikoedem said the Command has intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate who are still at large, assuring members of the public that all persons connected to the heinous crime will be brought to justice.

The spokesperson of the Command, however, urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information.

Police nab 3 in connection with abduction, killing of 42-year-old man in Edo