The Edo State Police Command has arrested three persons in connection with the kidnapping and killing of 42-year-old Edafe Oghenekome.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, who disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin, said the remains of Oghenekome were recovered in Igueladidi forest of Iguobazuwa, in Ovia West Local Government Area of the state.

Ikoedem, who disclosed that the suspects left the deceased’s remains in the forest to rot, gave the names of the suspects as 21-year-old Abdulsalam Mohammadu, 45-year-old Kehinde Adetunji, and 24-year-old Nasiru Yau.

She said the deceased was kidnapped alongside one Favour Ighasa from their residence on February 4, 2026, at Utese village, after Udo community, Ovia South West Local Government Area.

According to her, the apprehension of Abdulsalam Mohammadu led to the arrest of the two other suspects.

She alleged that Kehinde Adetunji, who is a syndicate’s local pointer, is an indigene living in the same community with the deceased, while Nasiru Yau is the supplier of food to the suspects in the bush.

“The report indicated that on February 4, 2026, two persons, Edafe Oghenekome ‘m’, aged 42 years, and one Favour Ighasa ‘f’, were kidnapped from their residence at Utese Village, after Udo Community, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.

“Subsequently, one of the victims, Favour Ighasa, regained her freedom on February 9, 2026, while the abductors ceased communication regarding the release of Edafe Kome.

“In line with the firm directives of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, that every kidnapping case must be thoroughly investigated to its logical conclusion, the Command resiliently continued the comprehensive investigation earlier launched into the matter.

“The sustained investigative and operational efforts led to the arrest of one Abdulsalam Mohammadu ‘m’, aged 21yrs, who disclosed the involvement of additional gang members, including one Kehinde Adetunji ‘m’, aged 45 as the syndicate’s local pointer, who is an indigene living in the community and Nasiru Yau ‘m’, aged 24yrs as the one who brings them food in the bush”, she said.

She added that the suspects have confessed to their involvement in the kidnapping/ransom collection and the murder of the deceased.

She also added that further investigations led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles with breach numbers 1686 and 2357 and three Dane guns from the suspects.

Ikoedem said the Command has intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing members of the syndicate who are still at large, assuring members of the public that all persons connected to the heinous crime will be brought to justice.

The spokesperson of the Command, however, urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information.