The Edo State Police Command has made significant strides in its fight against crime, arresting multiple suspects linked to armed robbery and kidnapping since the beginning of the week
On 16 March 2024, at around 4:30 am, operatives of the Agbede Police Division, in collaboration with local vigilante personnel, conducted a stop-and-search operation in Aviele along Abumere by the power line. During this operation, three suspects—Jamilu Idris (20), Usman Shuaibu (24), and Yahuza Usman (20)—were intercepted and arrested.
A search of the suspects led to the recovery of an English-made Beretta pistol, a dagger, and an Infinix phone.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are part of a criminal syndicate responsible for kidnappings and armed robberies, including motorcycle theft in the area.
The police are continuing their investigations to track down other members of the group.
In another operation on 16 March 2025, at approximately 10:10 pm, officers from the Auchi Police Division, working with local vigilantes, intercepted two young men during a routine stop-and-search at UBA Junction, Auchi.
The suspects attempted to flee, prompting a chase that resulted in the arrest of Adamu Usman of Hausa Quarters, while his accomplice escaped. A search of the suspect led to the recovery of ₦1,345,100 in cash, believed to be proceeds from kidnapping, along with five micro SIM cards, a machete, a dagger, two mobile phones, and a pack of cigarettes.
Further investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Iliyasu Abubakar (19) and Safiyanu Mohammed (20).
One of the recovered SIM cards was traced to Ajibola Sunday of Igbirra Camp in Auchi. When invited to the police station, Sunday identified the suspects as part of an eight-man gang that had kidnapped him and his mother-in-law on 11 March 2025. Their family had paid a ₦10 million ransom for their release.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, psc, mnips, reassured the public of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, vowing to bring all perpetrators of crime to justice.
