In a sweeping crackdown on crime across Edo State, the Police Command has rescued 62 kidnap victims and arrested 175 suspects for various offences, including cultism, kidnapping, and armed robbery, between April and July 20, 2025.
Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, who disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Benin City on Monday, revealed that 40 suspected kidnappers and 124 cultists were among those apprehended.
He added that 11 others were arrested for armed robbery and other violent crimes. “Our operations have yielded tangible results, thanks to community support, intelligence-led policing, and effective inter-agency collaboration,” Agbonika stated.
The Commissioner reported that 45 assorted firearms—including AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, and locally fabricated pistols—alongside 163 rounds of live ammunition and five empty magazines, were recovered.
Notably, among those rescued were 14 passengers abducted from an ill-fated bus. Tragically, a 12-year-old girl lost her life during the ordeal, while one victim remains missing.
“We assure the public that every effort is being made to locate the missing individual,” Agbonika said.
He highlighted the persistent challenge of cultism in the state, disclosing that many of the arrested suspects confessed to being members of proscribed confraternities such as the Maphites, Ayes, NBM, Jurists, and Eiye.
“These arrests have helped to significantly reduce the wave of inter-cult violence that recently plagued parts of the state,” he added.
Commissioner Agbonika expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his leadership, and commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his continued support.
He urged residents of Edo to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, reaffirming the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.
