Dare Babalola
The Edo State Police Command has recorded a breakthrough in its investigation into the abduction of three women in Ovia North-East Local Government Area, following the recovery of two bodies and the arrest of a suspected member of the kidnapping gang.
Police authorities disclosed on Wednesday that one of the recovered victims has been identified as 66-year-old Favour Nosakhare, who was kidnapped from her residence in Iyowa Community alongside two other women on May 9, 2026.
According to the command, the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Musa Haruna, was apprehended while nursing a gunshot wound allegedly sustained during an earlier confrontation with security operatives. Investigators said the suspect later directed police officers to a remote forest location where the remains of two victims were discovered.
Spokesperson of the command, Eno Ikoedem, said the victims were taken hostage after armed men stormed their home and forced them into a nearby forest.
The victims were identified as Favour Nosakhare, Emmanuel Annabel Osasere, 28, and Rejoice Otikpere, 26.
Police said the case attracted widespread concern after the kidnappers allegedly established contact with the victims’ relatives and demanded ransom. During the communication, family members reportedly witnessed the captives being subjected to severe abuse, intensifying pressure on security agencies to secure their release.
The command said the disturbing development triggered an extensive manhunt, with operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) working alongside the Police Drone Unit to track the suspects across forests and known criminal hideouts within Ovia North-East and surrounding communities.
Investigators said a major breakthrough occurred on May 19 when operatives located members of the gang in a forested area along the powerline corridor in Ovia. The suspects allegedly opened fire on the advancing officers, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Police said the kidnappers eventually retreated deeper into the forest after sustaining injuries. Security personnel reportedly recovered blood-stained clothing and spent rounds of AK-47 ammunition at the scene, prompting intensified surveillance and tracking operations.
The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Haruna, whom police described as a member of a criminal network linked to kidnappings and armed robberies along the Benin-Lagos and Old Benin-Akure highways.
According to the command, the suspect admitted involvement in the abduction during interrogation and assisted investigators in locating a forest in Ogwa Community where two decomposing bodies were found on June 2.
Police said one of the remains was positively identified by relatives as that of Nosakhare, while efforts are ongoing to confirm the identity of the second victim.
The command noted that operations have been expanded to apprehend other members of the gang who remain at large, expressing confidence that additional arrests would be made.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended officers involved in the operation, particularly personnel of the VCRU and the Drone Unit, for their determination and professionalism.
He also urged residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies with credible and timely information, assuring that the command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks operating in the state and bringing all those connected to the crime to justice.
