Army Combs Suspected Kidnappers’ Hotspot in Benin City, Arrests 31
The Nigerian Army has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against criminal networks in Edo State, following a raid on a suspected kidnappers’ den in Benin City that led to the arrest of 31 individuals linked to kidnapping, cybercrime, armed robbery, and ritual practices.
The operation was carried out by troops of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, following actionable intelligence about illicit activities at a residential compound located within First Bank Estate, Awesome Garden, along the Benin-Sapele Bypass.
Brigadier General Ebenezer Oduyebo, Commander of the 4 Brigade, led the operation with support from other security agencies. During the raid, troops stormed the building, which had been under surveillance for weeks due to suspicions of harboring criminal syndicates.
Speaking to the press, Captain Chinonso Oteh, the Brigade’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed that the operation uncovered a hub of criminal activities involving cyber fraud, kidnapping, and suspected ritual practices.
“Some of the arrested individuals have been involved in luring unsuspecting victims with fake job offers, only to hold them hostage in inhumane conditions,” Captain Oteh stated.
According to preliminary investigations, several victims—some of whom had been held captive for over a year—were discovered in the building.
They reported being tricked into traveling to the compound under the pretense of employment, orchestrated by a man identified as Mr. Marvin Osabunye, who is currently on the run.
Recovered from the premises were laptops, mobile phones, a Toyota vehicle, various ATM cards, fetish items, and a ritual pot, all of which point to a broader pattern of criminal enterprise and occult activity.
The 31 arrested suspects, along with the rescued victims and all confiscated items, have been handed over to the Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Captain Oteh emphasized that the operation demonstrates the Nigerian Army’s commitment to restoring law and order in the region and protecting innocent citizens from predatory criminal elements.
Brigadier General Oduyebo commended the intelligence team and collaborating security forces for their precision and effectiveness in executing the raid. He reassured residents of Edo State that the military remains steadfast in its mission to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace.
“We will not relent in our efforts to identify and uproot these threats wherever they exist. The safety of our citizens is our top priority,” he said.
This development marks a major success in the Nigerian Army’s ongoing security operations and underscores the need for continued vigilance and collaboration between communities and security agencies.
