Edo police arrest five officers, five others for kidnapping and extortion

The Edo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspects, including serving and dismissed officers, on charges of harassment, kidnapping and extortion in Benin City, the state capital.

The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this through a statement issued on Monday, April 13, 2026.

Ikoedem said the arrests followed numerous complaints from residents accusing individuals posing as police officers of illegally stopping citizens and extorting money from them.

Ikoedem said the suspects allegedly operated along Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where they intercepted unsuspecting victims, took them around parts of Benin City and forced them to withdraw money through Point of Sale (POS) operators under duress.

He disclosed that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, ordered an investigation after the allegations surfaced, leading to the dismantling of the criminal network through intelligence-led operations.

The list of those arrested includes Goodluck Jaja, identified as a POS operator; ASP Bonny Paul Onajite; Inspectors Ehubarieme Wisdom and Arebame God’s Power; Corporals Mordi Philip and Okon Elvis; Corporal Destiny Emmanuel fired; and two minibus drivers, Samuel Nicholas and Etim Bright.

Ikoedem noted that preliminary findings revealed that the suspects formed an organized syndicate that used police uniforms and equipment to deceive victims and carry out criminal activities, thereby tarnishing the image of the Nigerian Police Force.

Ikoedem added: “Those serving are currently undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, including closed-room trials. Upon completion of these trials and ongoing investigations, they will be summoned before a court of competent jurisdiction to face the full weight of the law.

“The Command calls on any victims who may have encountered or fallen prey to this organized criminal gang to come forward and assist the police with useful information which will aid further investigations and prosecutions.

“Furthermore, the Edo State Police Command uses this medium to strongly warn all POS operators and merchants to be wary of any individual, including persons in police uniform, attempting to use their facilities for illegal transactions or extortion. Any POS operator found to be complicit in such illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

The Police Spokesperson reaffirmed the command’s commitment to restoring public confidence in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, assuring residents that no individual will be protected from justice regardless of their status.

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