Police arrest 52-year-old spiritualist, four others over Edo kidnapping
Edo State police have arrested a 52-year-old Islamic spiritualist and four alleged accomplices in connection with a series of kidnappings. Jubril Ibrahim and the other suspects, identified as Ahmadu Suleiman, Mohammed Abubakar, Tukur Adam (also known as Dogo), Musa Ibrahim, and Iro Ibrahim, were apprehended on August 30, 2026, in Niger State.
The arrests were announced by Patrick Daaor, the Commissioner of Police for Edo State, during a press briefing. Daaor indicated that the group had been active in terrorizing communities in the Edo North Senatorial District, particularly the Auchi, Jattu, and Okpella areas.
According to police reports, the arrest followed the abduction of Mohammed Tasiu Imokhe and his wife on August 8, 2026, in Jattu, within the Etsako West Local Government Area. After receiving reports of the kidnapping, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Violent Crime Response Unit utilized intelligence from the Technical Intelligence Unit in Abuja to coordinate the operation that led to the suspects’ capture.
Daaor claimed that Ibrahim specialized in crafting charms for kidnappers and alleged that the group had confessed to the Jattu kidnapping and numerous other incidents in Edo and Kogi states. Following the suspects’ confessions, police recovered two fabricated AK-47 rifles, a pump-action rifle, six magazines, and 200 rounds of ammunition from the Okpella forest on September 1.
The commissioner stated that investigation efforts continue, including profiling the suspects and pursuing other gang members.
In an interview, Ibrahim denied any involvement in preparing charms for kidnappers, asserting that he had only prayed for one of the suspects at the request of his mother. He emphasized his role as an educator for children, explaining that his prayers were for safe travels.
Suleiman, 24, admitted to participating in a kidnapping operation in Auchi and claimed to work with various criminal groups across Nigeria before returning home to Niger State. He described the method used in attacks, which involved looking for appealing houses and firing shots into the air to induce panic among residents, allowing them to capture victims.
Suleiman stated he received 1 million naira from the Auchi operation, alleging it was his sole involvement in that area. He claimed to have participated in additional kidnappings in Kogi State and other locations, from which he received sums ranging from 500,000 to 700,000 naira. He denied collaborating with any informants, stating that the group focused on identifying affluent properties to target during heists.
