Edo Police Dismiss five Operatives over Alleged Extortion, Abduction

Q1q Edo State Police Command has dismissed five operatives over allegations of harassment, abduction and extortion.

This was disclosed in a statement issued yesterday in Benin by the Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem.

Ikoedem said the dismissed officers were part of a 10-member syndicate comprising serving and former police officers, point-of-sale (PoS) operators and bus drivers.

She listed the suspects as Goodluck Jaja (PoS operator), ASP Bonny Onajite, Inspector Ehubarieme Wisdom, Inspector Arebame God’s Power, Corporal Mordi Philip, Destiny Emmanuel (dismissed corporal), Corporal Okon Elvis, Samuel Nicholas (minibus driver) and Etim Bright (minibus driver).

According to the statement, the suspects allegedly operated around the Teboga axis off Aduwawa in Benin City, where they stopped unsuspecting members of the public, abducted them and extorted money from them through PoS operators.

Ikoedem said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, ordered a discreet investigation after multiple complaints from the public.

She said intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the suspects, noting that investigations showed they operated a coordinated criminal network involved in abduction and extortion.

She added that some of the suspects exploited police equipment to deceive victims, bringing disrepute to the force.

Ikoedem said serving personnel involved have been dismissed and will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of investigations.

The command urged victims of the syndicate to come forward with information and warned PoS operators against aiding unlawful transactions, noting that those found complicit would be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Police Command has arrested two security guards, Isikilu Dauda, 55, and Rasaki Abbas, in connection with the killing of a traveller identified as Promise in Ibafo.

The incident occurred on April 10, 2026. Police said operatives responded to a tip-off and found the victim, who stated he had been attacked by security guards after arriving late the previous night. He was confirmed dead on arrival at a hospital.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the victim’s body was deposited at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, for autopsy.

He said preliminary investigations led to the arrest of the suspects, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend others linked to the incident.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, condemned the act and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice, reiterating the command’s stance against unlawful violence.