BY HAMEED BRAIMAH
BENIN CITY: The Edo State Police Command has arrested 37 suspects for alleged involvement in sexual and domestic abuse across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Monday Agbonika, disclosed this in Benin on Saturday while briefing journalists on the command’s crime-fighting achievements for the month of September.
Agbonika said the arrests were part of deliberate efforts to tackle the disturbing trend of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape.
“The suspects have been investigated and are being prosecuted in court,” he said.
He added that the command also apprehended suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, and cultism during the period under review.
“Seven suspected kidnappers were arrested while two others were neutralised. We also rescued 48 victims from captivity through various operations,” the Commissioner stated.
He further disclosed that police operations disrupted several cult initiation ceremonies in Benin City, Auchi, and Ekpoma, leading to the arrest of 38 suspected cultists, including leaders of rival groups.
Agbonika noted that the proactive efforts of the command had reduced cult-related killings in Benin to zero within the period.
Items recovered during the operations include eight firearms, 56 live ammunition, five expended cartridges, nine vehicles, 18 motorcycles, six car master keys, 10 University of Benin car security access cards, one android phone, nine Apple phones, and two POS machines.
The Commissioner said the command had intensified intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, and community-driven partnerships to sustain progress.
He commended officers and community partners for their support, noting that the strengthened collaboration had significantly improved security across the state.
