Home » Edo Police Rescue Dozens And Disrupt Crime Syndicates In Major Security Operation

Edo Police Rescue Dozens And Disrupt Crime Syndicates In Major Security Operation

Police in southern Nigeria’s Edo State have rescued 62 individuals from kidnappers and arrested more than 40 suspects linked to abduction, robbery, and cult violence, according to an update issued on Monday by the state’s police command.

Speaking at a media briefing in Benin, Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika described the outcome as a testament to “robust intelligence, cross-agency collaboration, and grassroots mobilisation,” which had led to multiple breakthroughs in the state’s most volatile areas.

The commissioner highlighted a joint rescue operation on the Fugar-Agenebode road, where 14 abducted passengers were freed. He confirmed that a 12-year-old girl was killed by the kidnappers during the rescue, while one victim remains unaccounted for.

Beyond kidnapping cases, the force reported dismantling criminal gangs operating in forested zones and highways. Agbonika said operations targeted areas such as Ewohimi, Okpella, Uromi, and stretches of the Benin-Lagos expressway.

Officers also arrested 11 armed robbery suspects, some caught in action. In one case, police engaged in a firefight along the Auchi-Okpella corridor, neutralising a suspect and recovering arms. Recovered exhibits included stolen property, fabricated weapons, and large sums of cash.

In total, the crackdown yielded 45 firearms, 163 rounds of live ammunition, and five magazines, collected from targeted raids, search operations, and community tips across Edo State’s urban and rural settlements.

The force is also battling cultism, a persistent menace in university towns and urban centres. Over the last quarter, 124 suspected cult members were detained, many of whom were linked to outlawed groups such as the Eiye, NBM, Aye, Maphites, and Jurists. Arrests were carried out in Benin, Auchi, Ekpoma, Igbanke, Jattu, and surrounding areas.

Agbonika reiterated the command’s dedication to public safety, emphasising that deepening ties with traditional rulers, faith leaders, and youth associations had proved vital in bolstering intelligence gathering and early-warning mechanisms.

He also lauded the contributions of vigilante groups and local hunters, whose local knowledge and presence have significantly enhanced policing outcomes.

Looking ahead to the 16 August by-elections, the police chief confirmed the activation of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, tasked with ensuring a secure electoral process.

“The achievements of the past three months are encouraging, but continued public cooperation is essential to sustain security and protect every resident,” he concluded.

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