The Edo State Police Command has arrested 11 suspected kidnappers and an 18-year-old woman, Obehi Odine, who allegedly staged her own kidnapping to extort ₦10 million.

Odine reportedly fabricated the kidnapping and demanded ransom money. She confessed to the scheme during police investigations, according to Eno Ikoedem, the Police Public Relations Officer of Edo State.

In a separate operation, police intelligence and drone surveillance identified a concealed forest enclave in Ubiaja, suspected to be a base for an organised kidnapping syndicate. The raid resulted in the arrest of eleven male suspects and the seizure of weapons and other items.

Recovered items included:

• 24 Dane guns
• 17 cutlasses
• 3 battle axes
• Gunpowder, torchlights, mobile phones, solar panels, assorted charms
• 1 Daylong motorcycle
• ₦209,700 cash

The police have confirmed ongoing investigations into both Odine’s case and the suspected kidnapping network.