The Edo Police Command has arrested 18-year-old Obehi Odine for staging her own kidnapping, while 11 others were arrested for their alleged involvement in a kidnapping syndicate.

In a statement on Tuesday, the state command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said exhibits, including firearms, were recovered during the operations.

The statement read, “A suspect, one Obehi Odine ‘F’, aged 18, was arrested for staging her own kidnap and demanding a ransom of ₦10 million.

She has confessed to the crime, admitting that the incident was deliberately fabricated to extort money.”

In a related operation in Ubiaja, the Command reported another major success through a bush-combing strategy.

“The Divisional Police Officer, Ubiaja, personally led a coordinated bush-combing operation around Akwocha Camp and adjoining forest corridors, in collaboration with the Nigerian Military and the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC).

“A concealed forest enclave, identified by the drone squadron through intelligence generated from air surveillance as a suspected kidnapping and logistics base, was stormed.

“This resulted in the arrest of 11 male suspects believed to be members of an organised kidnapping syndicate.

“Exhibits recovered include 24 dane guns, 17 cutlasses, three battle axes, gunpowder, torchlights, mobile phones, solar panels, assorted charms, one motorcycle, and ₦209,700 among other items.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, warned the public against making false kidnapping reports or engaging in other deceptive acts.

He noted that such actions waste critical security resources, divert attention from genuine emergencies, create unnecessary panic, and undermine public confidence. “Anyone caught will be prosecuted accordingly,” he said.

Agbonika reiterated the Command’s resolve to sustain technology-driven policing, aggressive forest domination, and intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal networks across the state.

He also urged the public to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information.

The PUNCH had reported that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers demanded ₦100 million for the release of eight Imoga indigenes abducted on Friday night.

The Okpahi of Imoga Kingdom, Oba Patrick Obajoye, disclosed this on Monday during a telephone conversation.

He said the victims were kidnapped at Star Boy Hotel on Imoga-Ibillo Road in Edo North.

Oba Obajoye explained that the victims had gone to Ibillo for a function and decided to lodge overnight at the Star Boy Hotel, which also belongs to an indigene of Imoga.

He added that the kidnappers arrived at the hotel in army uniforms, bringing drinks, and pretended to be waiting for someone. (PUNCH)