In Ubiaja, Esan South East Local Government Area, a Nigerien national has been detained by the Edo State Police Command in relation to kidnapping activities. 

In reaction to growing allegations of kidnappings throughout the state, Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika ordered increased operations, which resulted in the arrest, according to Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Eno Ikoedem. 

The announcement said that on February 17, 2026, at approximately 1800 hours, Suleman Harruna, a Nigerien national living in Kaba, Kogi State, was taken into custody by Ubiaja Division agents based on technical intelligence. 

Members of the Hausa/Fulani community identified Suleman, who was previously on the Command's wanted list, as a member of a prominent kidnapping ring. He is supporting police investigations and has made confessions.

In cooperation with the Nigerian Army, another suspect, Ibrahim Kodo, 25, of the Illushi Community, was taken into custody on February 20, 2026, at approximately 1750 hours. 

He was one of three armed individuals involved in an abduction incident on June 2, 2025, according to a kidnapped victim.Similarly, Orsee Iorzaa, 32, of Omi Camp, Illushi, was captured under intelligence-led monitoring on February 26, 2026, at approximately 0900 hours. 

He was identified by a victim as a member of a five-person gang that broke into his house on February 21, 2026. Weapons recovery and the capture of additional gang members are the focus of current investigations. 

According to ASP Ikoedem, the Commissioner of Police praised the Ubiaja Division team for their professionalism and encouraged locals to keep supplying reliable information to assist clear the state of criminal elements.

Source