By USMAN ALIYU

Joint operatives of security agencies in Edo have arrested 113 suspected kidnappers and their collaborators during a coordinated early-morning operation in Agbede and Iruekpen communities on Thursday.

ASP Eno Ikoedem, Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Edo disclosed this in a statement in Benin.

She said the arrests followed an intelligence-driven raid on identified settlements believed to serve as operational and financial coordination points for kidnapping activities in the state.

The police spokesperson explained that the joint operation was carried out at about 3.00 a.m. by the operatives, comprising the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), vigilante groups and local hunters.

According to her, security operatives acted on credible intelligence indicating that ransom payments from kidnapping operations were allegedly being received and coordinated within designated settlements in Agbede and Iruekpen.

“The coordinated raids were carried out at locations where actionable intelligence revealed that suspected kidnappers and their collaborators converged to receive ransom payments, regroup and blend with unsuspecting members of the public,” she said.

She said the operation led to the arrest of 113 suspects who were currently undergoing screening and profiling to determine their level of involvement in kidnapping and related crimes.

She said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to dismantle kidnapping networks.

The commissioner, she said, stressed that ongoing operations would not only target criminal elements operating in forests but also individuals providing logistical and financial support within communities.

“The command’s onslaught against organised kidnapping networks will remain relentless and uncompromising and those found culpable would face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

Ikoedem urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information, assuring that intelligence provided by members of the public would be treated confidentially.

She maintained that sustained joint security operations would continue across the state to eliminate kidnapping and strengthen public safety in Edo. (NAN)

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