Police paraded over 13 suspects for alleged kidnapping, cultism, murder, armed robbery, others

Over 13 suspects have been paraded by the Edo State Police Command in connection with kidnapping, cultism, murder, armed robbery, and false news peddling.

The suspects were paraded by the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, in the presence of the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, at the Command Headquarters.

DAILY POST reports that among those paraded are 45-year-old Oluchi Ugbowan, Musa Haruna, Bali Sule, Mohammed Sani, Adamu Jafaru, Mohammed Hashiru, and Marvelous Isaac (32) for alleged kidnapping and murder.

Others are Matthew Igbinoba (40), Ovie Freedom (29), Lucky Iyokhuo (29), Bright Odaro (28), and Ernest Ugbomoiko (42) for armed robbery, cultism, and false news peddling.

The Police Commissioner said Oluchi Ugbowan was arrested by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for allegedly plotting her own kidnapping.

He said she conspired with her accomplices to stage her own abduction in order to extort N50 million from her family.

According to him, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Edo State Police Command on May 6, 2026, uncovered a self-kidnapping plot orchestrated by Oluchi Ugbowan (45), who conspired with her accomplices to stage her own abduction to extort N50 million from her family.

“Technical intelligence led to the arrest of one Israel Ability (28), who confessed to making ransom calls on her instructions.

“The purported victim was subsequently traced and arrested in a hotel in Obiaruku, Delta State, where she confessed to the crime.

“Further investigation led to the recovery of a pump-action gun used in videos created by one Chukwudem Uwadia, from Kwale, Delta State, and his son, Chibuzor Chukwudem (18),” he said.

Also paraded was 40-year-old Matthew Igbinoba for allegedly robbing one Ebuka Ewere, a Point of Sale (POS) operator, at Murtala Muhammed Way, Sokponba Road, Benin City.

Agbonika said the suspect shot the victim in his left leg and carted away the sum of N500,000.

He stated that through high-tech security tracking, operatives of the VCRU arrested the suspect, who has confessed to the crime.

He added that the suspect is currently assisting with further investigations aimed at arresting other members of the gang.

The Command further explained that three suspects were arrested and paraded for cultism, while one locally made cut-to-size pistol was recovered from them.

Agbonika, who gave the names of the suspects as Ovie Freedom, Lucky Iyokhuo, and Bright Odaro, added that they have all confessed to being members of the Vikings secret cult group.

The Command also paraded a 42-year-old Ernest Ugbomoiko of Afuze Community for allegedly peddling false information about kidnappings in schools in the state.

While debunking the false report of the alleged kidnapping of schoolchildren in Afuze, Ehor, Otuo, Agbede, and Igueben, the Police Commissioner confirmed that no such incident occurred anywhere in the state.

He, however, warned against the spread of misinformation capable of causing public panic in the state.