The Edo State Police Command has reported a string of significant operational successes across the state, marked by multiple arrests, the recovery of weapons, and the rescue of a kidnapped Chinese expatriate. The achievements, recorded between December 2 and 6, reflect what the command described as a renewed drive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, to weaken criminal networks and reinforce public safety.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, confirmed that officers from the Loveworld Division first moved against a motorcycle-robbing syndicate on December 2. Two suspects, Victor Nworie, 18, and Abraham Nwokipoeo, 21, were arrested at First Obe, off the Benin–Sapele Road, after allegedly luring commercial motorcyclists with attractive fares and then attacking them. Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of two more suspects, Johnson Ode, known as Polite, and Imrana Sanni. All four are now in custody.
The command also confirmed the safe release of the Chinese expatriate abducted during an attack on NSCDC personnel. According to the police, the victim was freed in Kabba, Kogi State, shortly before midnight on December 2. The operation was the result of sustained technical and tactical efforts by both the Edo and Kogi State Commands, supported by vigilante groups and local hunters.
Further arrests were made earlier on November 2 when officers of the Okuaihe Division stopped a group of seven young men along the Benin–Agbor Road. The men had just stepped off a truck and were allegedly found with photographs showing them posing with assault rifles. They identified themselves as travellers from Adamawa State but reportedly failed to give a satisfactory explanation for their movement. They were later transferred to the State CID for a detailed investigation.
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On December 4, the same patrol team arrested Isah Musa Maidawa after he climbed down from a truck. A search of his belongings produced a dane gun, cartridges, charms, a cutlass, a knife, food items, a solar panel, flashlights, a phone, and matches. He has since been moved to the SCID for prosecution.
The operations continued on December 6 when officers of the Ekiadolor Division, working with the Edo State Security Corps, intercepted Ibrahim Mohammed, 28, along the Oluku–Ahor Bypass. He was found with a locally fabricated revolver shotgun, a torchlight, and a vigilante shirt. Police said he could not account for the items and has been handed to the SCID. That same day, officers of the 82 PMF Squadron in Uromi arrested David James Odaukwo along the Auchi–Agbede Road with an empty LAR rifle magazine hidden in a sack. He claimed he was travelling from Okene but could not explain his possession of the magazine.
Later that evening, operatives of the Agbede Division carried out a raid on a hotel based on intelligence reports. Three suspected armed robbers, Suleiman Aliyu, 25, Abdulrazak Ogbesor, 36, and Inusemiu Abdulrouf, 36, were arrested. Police recovered two automatic pump-action guns, a locally made single-barrel shotgun, live and expended cartridges, a Lexus SUV, a Toyota Tacoma, charms, and other items. All suspects are undergoing further questioning at the State CID as investigations continue.
