The Edo State Police Command has smashed a kidnap syndicate and recovered the decomposing body of a 42-year-old victim, Edafe Oghenekome from a forest.
The spokesperson of the command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, who disclosed this in a statement on March 3, 2026, said operatives also recovered two AK-47 rifles.
According to the PPRO, Oghenekome, a pineapple farmer, was abducted along with one Favor Ighasa, from their residence in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state on February 4.
It was gathered that the abductors had demanded N50m ransom.
Ighasa regained her freedom on 9th February after ransom payment, while the abductors ceased communication regarding the release of Oghenekome.
Police investigation led to the arrest of one Abdulsalam Mohammadu.
The suspect disclosed the involvement of members, including one Kehinde Adetunji, the syndicate’s local informant.
“The Edo State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the investigation of a kidnapping incident reported to the Command on 11th February, 2026,” the statement read.
“The report indicated that on 4th February, 2026, two persons — Edafe Oghenekome ‘m’, aged 42 years, and one Favor 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, Favor Ighasa, regained her freedom on 9th February, 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, fdc, 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.
“All suspects have been arrested and have confessed their involvement in the kidnapping/ransom collection and the m8rder of Edafe Oghenekome.
“Further investigations led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles with breach numbers 1686 and 2357, three Dane guns were also recovered from them.
“While further diligent investigation led to the recovery of the remains of Edafe in Igueladidi forest of Iguobazuwa, where he was left to rot.
“The Edo State Police Command has intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate who are still at large.
“The Command assures the public that all persons connected to this heinous crime will be brought to justice.
“Residents are urged to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information.”
