Edo Police arrest nine suspects in Benin City after intelligence-led raids targeting kidnapping, cultism, robbery and related crimes

The Edo State Police Command has arrested nine suspects over alleged involvement in kidnapping, cultism, robbery and related offences following intelligence-led operations across Benin City within the past week.

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The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, attributing the successes to sustained patrols, rapid response to distress calls and proactive strategies under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika.

According to the statement, in the early hours of Saturday, January 25, credible intelligence about repeated gunshots from a residence along Erediuwawa Street, off Sapele Road, prompted the deployment of operatives from the Eagle Crack Unit.

One suspect, Emmanuel Omorodion, 41, was arrested after a chase, while others escaped. A double-barrel gun and one live cartridge were recovered from him.

In a separate operation, actionable intelligence on cult-related activities in the Eyaen axis led operatives of the Intelligence Rapid Response Team to raid Ibojije Hotel, where a suspected criminal meeting was allegedly underway.

The alleged kingpin, Usifo Omojale, was arrested alongside five others identified as Imafidon Jesurobo Frank, 31; Godstime Iliyoma, 23; Lukeman Itsagwode, 38; Usifoh Omomgiade, 31; and Ibhafidon Omonkhegbe, 35.

Ikoedem said the suspects confessed to being members of the Aye confraternity and were allegedly linked to kidnapping, extortion, cultism and other violent acts in the area. She added that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be arraigned in court.

In another incident on Thursday, January 23, at about 2:40 a.m., operatives of the Ugbor Division, working with the Edo State Security Network, responded to a distress call about an armed robbery at Uwadia Street, off Ogunmenyi Community.

One suspect, Gondas Innocent, was arrested after sustaining pellet injuries during an exchange of gunfire. Items recovered included three machetes, a laptop, an Apple iPhone, a clipper and clothing items.

Another suspect, Tasman Nanman, was later arrested at an uncompleted building identified as the group’s hideout.

The police assured that investigations were ongoing and that all suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Ikoedem reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security agencies, urging residents to continue providing credible information to support crime-fighting efforts.

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The command had earlier reported the arrest of at least 14 suspects over cult-related activities involving the hijacking of a corpse and an attempt to disrupt a burial, during which two commercial motorcyclists were injured.