Police recover bodies of kidnapped victims in Edo

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have recovered the bodies of two kidnapped victims buried in a forest at Ogwa community in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

The police also confirmed the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect, Musa Haruna, in connection with the incident.

It was gathered that the deceased were among three women identified as Mrs Favour Nosakhare (66), Mrs Emmanuel Annabel Osasere (28), and Miss Rejoice Otikpere (26), who were abducted by suspected kidnappers on May 9, 2026.

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The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said the armed attackers invaded their residence in Iyowa community, Ovia North-East LGA, and whisked them away into a nearby forest.

She said days after the abduction, the kidnappers contacted the victims’ families via video call, during which the women were seen being flogged and tortured, while ransom was demanded for their release.

According to her, on May 19, 2026, operatives stormed the kidnappers’ hideout in the forest, leading to a gun duel in which the suspects fled with gunshot injuries.

She added that sustained investigation led to the arrest of one suspect, who was also found with a gunshot injury and allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime.

The suspect, she said, later led operatives to a forest in Ogwa community, where two decomposing bodies were recovered on June 2, 2026.

She explained that one of the recovered bodies, Mrs Favour Nosakhare, was identified by her family as one of the abducted victims.

Ikoedem added that investigation is ongoing to apprehend other members of the kidnapping syndicate and ensure they are brought to justice.

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