In relation to the June 14, 2026, kidnapping incident at the Vegetable Market in Benin, the Edo State Police Command has detained four suspects and murdered one.
Eno Ikoedem, the state police public relations officer, provided an update in a statement on Tuesday. She stated that three suspects were apprehended on June 20 in addition to the one who had already been apprehended, making a total of four arrests and one fatality.
“The Edo State Police Command wishes to update the general public on its breakthrough into the investigation of the kidnapping incident which occurred at the Vegetable Market off Airport Road in Benin City on June 14, 2026,” the statement said.
On June 18, 2026, Marvelous Isaac, a 32-year-old man, was apprehended in a gunfight by members of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Edo, following the order of Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, and acting on reliable intelligence. In the process, another suspect, identified only as Precious (surname unknown), was neutralized.
One red Lexus RX 350 SUV with registration number EKP 848 AE, which was admittedly used in the kidnapping operation, one pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, ₦2,050,000 in cash, and a motorcycle were among the items found on the suspects.
During separate operations carried out in Benin City and portions of Delta State on June 20, 2026, the operatives detained two more members of the organized criminal syndicate: Gift Raphael, a 27-year-old female, and Rufus Michael, a male.
“Every suspect has confessed to being involved in the incident and other state-wide criminal activities.”
In the meantime, the Commissioner of Police praised the officers for their diligence, professionalism, bravery, and speed in locating the criminal network.
He gave the people of Edo State the assurance that the police would not give up until every criminal was apprehended.
Additionally, the command asked the people to stay attentive and security-conscious at all times, and to continue providing the police with fast and reliable information.
Reportedly, a woman who went shopping on June 14 at Benin City’s well-known Vegetable Market off Airport Road was allegedly kidnapped.
In accordance to reports, the woman was at the market with her husband and kids when gunmen showed up and took her away.
“Today, for the first time, I witnessed someone being kidnapped,” a lady who claimed to have seen the event said in a video that went viral online.
