Edo Police Parade 11 Suspects, Islamic Teacher Over Alleged Kidnap Link

An intelligence-led operation by the Edo State Police Command has resulted in the arrest of a 52-year-old Islamic teacher and four suspected kidnappers, with one of the suspects allegedly giving investigators an account of how his gang selected victims.

The Islamic teacher, identified as Jubril Ibrahim, was arrested over allegations that he prepared charms for suspected kidnappers operating in Edo North.

Ibrahim denied the allegation during a parade at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City.

The Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daor, said the suspected kidnappers were arrested in Niger State following intelligence gathered by operatives of the command.

Among those paraded was 24-year-old Ahmadu Suleiman.

Suleiman allegedly admitted participating in a kidnapping operation in Auchi and said he worked with different kidnapping syndicates across the country.

He reportedly said he returned to his base in Niger State after taking part in operations.

During the parade, Suleiman described how he claimed his group identified potential victims.

According to him, the suspects would enter communities and search for houses they considered attractive.

He said the group would shoot into the air after entering the community.

The gunfire would cause residents to flee, according to his account.

Suleiman said the suspects would then seize some residents and take them into the bush.

Ransom demands would subsequently be made, he said.

He also disclosed that he received N1m from the Auchi operation.

Suleiman said that was the only kidnapping operation from which he received money in that area.

The suspect was asked whether members of the gang relied on informants within the communities.

He said they did not.

Instead, he explained that the gang looked at expensive vehicles and buildings when selecting targets.

His account has become part of the police investigation into the suspected kidnapping network.

The police will have to establish whether the information can be corroborated and whether other members of the alleged syndicates can be identified.

Ibrahim’s arrest has added a separate dimension to the investigation.

The police accused the Islamic teacher of preparing charms for suspected kidnappers.

Ibrahim rejected the allegation and explained that he was an Islamic teacher who gathered Almajiri children and taught them the Qur’an.

He said his connection to Suleiman began when the suspect’s mother approached him.

According to Ibrahim, the woman asked him to pray for her son because he travelled frequently.

He said she wanted prayers for her son’s safe journey and return.

Ibrahim maintained that he only prayed for Suleiman.

The teacher was also asked whether he knew Suleiman had an AK-47 rifle.

He admitted that he knew the suspect possessed a gun.

The admission is separate from the allegation that he prepared charms for the suspected kidnappers.

The police investigation will have to determine the significance of the relationship between the two men and whether Ibrahim had any knowledge of or involvement in criminal activities.

The suspects were paraded alongside six other individuals.

The police did not provide detailed allegations against all six additional suspects in the report.

Their roles will therefore have to be determined through the ongoing investigation.

The arrest of the suspected kidnappers in Niger State demonstrates the extent of the intelligence operation conducted by the Edo Police Command.

Although the alleged kidnapping activity described by Suleiman occurred in Auchi, the arrests were made in Niger State.

This indicates that investigators were following suspected members of the network beyond Edo State.

Suleiman’s claim that he worked with different kidnapping syndicates could also lead investigators to examine possible links between criminal groups operating in different locations.

The police are expected to establish the identities and roles of other alleged members of the syndicates.

They may also investigate the Auchi operation described by Suleiman and determine whether the reported N1m payment can be connected to the alleged crime.

For Ibrahim, the central issue remains whether his activities amounted to criminal assistance to suspected kidnappers.

His position is that he was providing religious prayers and teaching the Qur’an, not preparing charms for criminals.

The police allegation and his denial will have to be assessed through the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.

The parade of suspects is part of the police process for presenting arrested persons and allegations to the public; it does not establish guilt.

All the suspects remain entitled to due process.

The Edo State Police Command’s latest operation nevertheless underscores its continuing efforts to disrupt suspected kidnapping networks and trace individuals allegedly connected to such activities.

The investigation is expected to continue as police seek to establish the facts behind the arrests and determine whether further suspects are linked to the alleged operations.