…. Multiple suspects arrested in operations across state.
The Edo State Police Command said it has recorded a series of major operational breakthroughs across the state, resulting in multiple arrests, interception of suspected criminal elements, recovery of weapons and rescue of a kidnapped Chinese expatriate.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, said the operations conducted between December 2 and 6, 2025 underline the commitment of the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, to dismantle criminal networks and protect lives and properties across the state.
CSP Yamu revealed that on December 2, operatives of the Loveworld Division arrested two suspected members of a motorcycle thieves syndicate: Victor Nworie (18) and Abraham Nwokipoeo (21), at First Obe, along the Benin-Sapele road.
He said the suspects allegedly lured commercial motorcyclists with attractive rates before attacking and robbing them.
According to Yamu, further police investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Johnson Ode (also known as Polite), 30, and Imrana Sanni, 28, who he said are currently in custody.
The Command also confirmed the release of a Chinese expatriate who was kidnapped during an earlier attack on NSCDC personnel.
According to the statement, the expatriate was released in Kabba, Kogi State, at around 11.30pm on December 2, following sustained technical and tactical operations jointly carried out by the Edo and Kogi State Police Commands, with the support of local vigilante groups and hunters.
The statement further revealed that on November 2, officers of the Okuaihe Division carrying out stop and search along the Benin-Agbor highway intercepted seven youths who had alighted from a truck.
The suspects (Usman Ibrahim, Bello Garba, Dahiru Muhammad, Sarki Murtala, Suleman Ibrahim, Umar Yahaya and Abdulahi Hassan), all aged between 22 and 30, were allegedly found with photographs showing them posing with assault rifles.
Police said the suspects claimed they were traveling from Adamawa State but could not give a credible explanation for their movement.
“They have been transferred to the state CID for further investigation,” the statement said.
According to the statement, on December 4, the same patrol arrested Isah Musa Maidawa, who also got off a truck.
“A Danish pistol, cartridges, amulets, a machete, a knife, food, a solar panel, flashlights, a telephone and matches were recovered from his luggage. He has been transferred to the SCID for processing.
“On December 6, operatives of the Ekiadolor Division, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Force, intercepted Ibrahim Mohammed (28) along the Oluku-Ahor bypass with a locally made revolver shotgun, a flashlight and a vigilante t-shirt.
“He apparently gave no credible explanation and was handed over to the SCID.
“Also on December 6, officers of 82 Squadron PMF, Uromi, arrested David James Odaukwo along Auchi-Agbede road with an empty LAR rifle magazine hidden in a sack.
“He stated that he was traveling from Okene but could not explain his possession of the ammunition component.
“Later that same day, officers of the Agbede Division, based on intelligence, raided a hotel and arrested three suspected armed robbers: Suleiman Aliyu (25), Abdulrazak Ogbesor (36) and Inusemiu Abdulrouf (36).
“Recovered from them were: two pump-action automatic pistols, a locally made single barrel shotgun, live and spent cartridges, a Lexus SUV, a Toyota Tacoma, amulets and other items.
“All suspects are undergoing further interrogation at the SCID,” the statement concludes.
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