The Edo State Police Command has arrested an 18-year-old girl, Obehi Odine, for allegedly staging her own kidnapping in Ekpoma and demanding a N10 million ransom from her parents.
Police spokesperson ASP Eno Ikoedem confirmed that the case came to light following a report on January 12, 2026. Investigations revealed that the kidnapping was fabricated, and Odine admitted to orchestrating the incident to extort money.
In a related operation in Ubiaja, a coordinated bush-combing effort by the police, the Nigerian Military, and the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) led to the arrest of 11 men believed to be members of an organized criminal syndicate. Several weapons, tools, and cash were recovered during the operation, which targeted a suspected logistics base in a forested area identified through drone surveillance.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, warned the public against making false reports or engaging in deceptive acts, noting that such actions divert security resources and create unnecessary panic. He also highlighted the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led operations, technology-driven policing, and aggressive strategies to dismantle criminal networks across Edo State.
Residents are encouraged to provide timely and credible information to the police via the following contact lines:
- Emergency Control Room: 08077773721, 08037646272
- Public Complaints Bureau (PCB): 08150999335
- Complaints Response Unit (CRU): 08100389992
