Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested two suspected kidnappers, Mohammed Hamisu, 22, and Saidu Bebe, 23, and recovered three AK-47 rifles and 58 rounds of ammunition from them.

Briefing journalists in Benin, the state Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, said the suspects, who were alleged to be members of a notorious kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate operating in Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Area, were arrested following credible intelligence.

He said during profiling, the suspects led operatives to a forest bordering Abudu in Edo State and Obiaruku in Delta State, where three AK-pattern rifles and two magazines buried underground were recovered at different locations.

According to him, the suspects further led the operatives to the same forest, resulting in the recovery of 58 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and an additional magazine.

Daaor said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and recover more operational weapons.

Speaking to journalists, the suspects claimed to be herders and said the guns were given to them by their owner to protect cattle.

They also claimed to have participated in only one kidnapping operation in Delta State, during which they allegedly kidnapped travellers but were denied their share of the ransom.