Personnel of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Escravos Anti-Crude Oil Theft Team under the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, have intercepted six crude-laden boats and arrested three suspected pipeline vandals in the Chevron Nigeria Ltd., Malu Jacket 19 Offshore, Escravos, in Delta State.

The Edo State Police Command has arrested three out of the four-man kidnapping gang who had collected over N75 million ransom from 11 victims between January and April 2025.

Moses Yamu, the image maker of the Command, who disclosed this to newsmen in Benin City, said that the kidnapping syndicate had been terrorizing Benin City and environs.

Ekwutosblog reports that Moses Yamu gave the names of the three arrested suspects as Asemota Osamede,  38,  ⁠Michael Tomminiwei, 43, and Kelly Aitoya, 34.

Yamu said the suspects were arrested after successfully collecting the sum of N7.5 million ransom from one Mrs Vivian Diode, a sawmill operator at Eyean, Aduduwa along the Benin-Auchi road, Benin City.

He said the suspects, who allegedly kidnapped the victim on April 10, 2025, collected N1.5 million from her bank account while in captivity and also collected N6 million ransom from her family members before releasing her.

Ekwutosblog , however, gathered that a week after her release, the suspects also called the family members to demand another N3 million.

It was gathered that the suspects threatened to kidnap her again or assassinate her if the family failed to pay the money.

It was learnt that the development prompted the family to report the incident to the police and the anti-cultism unit of the command.

The operatives swiftly responded and, in the process, arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping of the woman.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Yamu, said the suspects who confessed to the crime belonged to a four-man kidnapping syndicate operating with one AK-47 rifle and two pump-action guns in Benin City.

He said the investigation has been completed and the suspect will be charged in Court.

He said the commissioner of police in the state, Monday Agbonika, restated the command’s commitment to the safety of lives and property, warning that there is no safe haven for criminals in the state.

The Benue State Office of the Public Complaints Commission, PCC, has condemned the recent attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area, describing the incident as “barbaric, archaic, reprehensible, worrisome and an unacceptable.

It said the attack was an attempt to undermine the sacredness of the lives and properties” of the state’s peace-loving citizens.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the PCC in Benue State, Rt. Hon Chief James Ogaba Oche, expressed deep concern over the gruesome killings and destruction of property that occurred during the attack.

“The Benue State Office of the Public Complaints Commission wishes to condemn in unequivocal terms, the recent attack on the people of Yelewata Community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State which led to the indescribable killing of innocent Nigerians and destruction of property,” the statement read.

While commiserating with the government and people of Benue State, particularly the victims and their families, the PCC called for urgent and decisive government intervention.

“The Benue PCC commiserates with the government and people of Benue State, most especially the victims who lost their lives, loved ones and properties.”

The Ombudsman also called on authorities at all levels to enhance security efforts and adopt proactive measures to prevent a recurrence of such attacks.

“The Benue PCC respectfully calls on government at all levels to intensify security efforts to forestall a possible reoccurrence and to further guarantee the protection of the lives and properties of the people through credible intelligence gathering and possible preventive measures,” the statement added.