By Ebinum Samuel
In its avowal to crackdown on criminals operating in Edo state, the Command through a press release signed by the outgoing spokesman, CSP Joel Moses Yamu, confirmed the rescue of a Chinese, arrests of suspected criminals and recovery of various arms and ammunition in a crackdown on criminals and hoodlums .
According to the statement: “On 2/12/2025 at about 2200hrs, operatives of Loveworld Division, acting on actionable intelligence, arrested two suspects — Victor Nworie (18) and Abraham Nwokipoeo (21) — at First Obe, off Benin-Sapele Road.
The duo specialise in luring unsuspecting commercial motorcycle riders with attractive fares to isolated locations where they attack and dispossess them of their motorcycles. The suspects are in custody and investigations are ongoing.
In addition, One Johnson Ode ( aka Polite)30yrs and Imrana Sanni ‘m’ 28yrs were arrested during the course of investigation.
On 2/12/2025 at about 2330hrs, the Chinese expatriate kidnapped during the recent incident involving the ambush on NSCDC personnel regained his freedom.
He was released at a location in Kabba, Kogi State following sustained technical and tactical operations jointly executed by the Edo and Kogi State Police Commands, with support from vigilante groups and local hunters. The Command commends all partners involved in this successful rescue effort.
On 2/11/2025 at about 1800hrs, operatives of Okuaihe Division in collaboration with vigilante personnel, while on routine stop-and-search duty along the Benin-Agbor Road, intercepted seven young men who had alighted from a truck. They are;
-Usman Ibrahim
-Bello Garba
-Dahiru Muhammad
-Sarki Murtala
-Suleman Ibrahim
-Umar Yahaya
-Abdulahi Hassan
Aged between 22 to 30 yrs.
A search revealed several pictures of the suspects posing with assault rifles. They claimed to be coming from Adamawa State but could not provide any satisfactory explanation regarding their mission. They have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
Similarly, on 4/12/2025 at about 1840hrs, the same patrol team intercepted one Isah Musa Maidawa, who also alighted from a truck.
A search on his person and luggages led to the recovery of:
– One dane gun
– A pack of cartridges
– Charms
– Food items
– A cutlass and knife
– Solar panel
– Three flashlights
– A mobile phone
– A pack of matches
The suspect has been transferred to the SCID for further investigation and will be arraigned before the court upon conclusion.
On 6/12/2025 at about 0830hrs, operatives of Ekiadolor Division, alongside Edo State Security Corps personnel, intercepted Ibrahim Mohammed (28yrs) along the Oluku-Ahor Bypass in possession of a locally fabricated single-barreled revolver shotgun, a flashlight, and a vigilante T-shirt.
He could not give any satisfactory explanation of himself or his mission and has been handed over to the SCID for discreet investigation.
On 6/12/2025 at about 1200hrs, operatives of 82 PMF Squadron, Uromi, on nipping operations along the Auchi-Agbede road, intercepted David James Odaukwo with an empty LAR rifle magazine concealed in a sack.
The suspect, who claimed to be coming from Okene, failed to give a credible explanation of his possession of the item. He has been transferred to the SCID for further investigations.
“On 6/12/2025 at about 1545hrs, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of Agbede Division, led by the DPO, raided a hotel in Agbede and arrested three suspected armed robbers:
– Suleiman Aliyu (25yrs)
– Abdulrazak Ogbesor (36yrs)
– Inusemiu Abdulrouf (36yrs)
A search conducted led to the recovery of:
– Two automatic pump-action guns
– One locally made single-barreled shotgun
– Two live cartridges
– One expended cartridge
– A Lexus SUV (Reg. No. ABUJA RSH-721-BF)
– A Toyota Tacoma pickup (Reg. No. LAGOS KJA-840-JQ)
– Charms and other items
The suspects have been transferred to the SCID for further investigation.”
The Commissioner of Police assures the good people of Edo State that the Command remains fully committed to neutralising criminal networks, enhancing public safety, and ensuring that offenders face the full wrath of the law.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible information to the Police for prompt action