EDO STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE PRESS BRIEFING

Edo state Police Command in its efforts to rid the State of crimes and criminality and make it safer for the citizens, have made modest achievements as highlighted below. The achievements are:

1. ARMED ROBBERY

A. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY/CULTISM SUSPECT

On 15/01/2019, operatives of Evbuotubu Police Station, Benin City arrested one Osazee Odiase ‘m’, a member of three (3) gun men and also Aiye secret cult, at No. 6, Ehigie Street Evbuotubu, Benin City, who came to his house, attacked and injured him with bottles and robbed him of the sum of #5,000.00 and handsets. Suspect made statement and confessed to the crime. Investigation is in progress.

B. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT/RECOVERY OF ARMS;

On 18/01/2019, Operatives of Okada Police Station, Okada, Edo State acting on a tip-off arrested one Umar Abubakar ‘m’ aged 25yrs along Benin/Lagos Expressway by Fulani camp, while two other members of the gang escaped. Suspect confessed that he is an armed robber belonging to a three man gang. Items recovered from him;

1. One locally made cut-to-size single barrel Dane gun
2. Charm
3. Pellets
4. Nails
5. Gun powder

C. DEATH OF ARMED ROBBERY/RECOVERY OF CUTLASS

On 20/01/2019, Operatives of Ekiadolor Police Station, Benin City received complaint from one Blessing Igwe ‘f’ of Upper Uwa by Murtala Mohammed way, Benin City, boarded one Audi 80 car Reg. No EDO BEN-969-TW to take them home with two (2) men and the driver already inside the car suddenly, the driver made a u-turn and headed to Benin/Oluku bye-pass via Ute, Ahor and Utekon Communities, took her inside the bush where she was sexually assaulted under threat with one locally made cut-t0-size single barrel gun and cutlass, robbed her of two GSM phones and #31,250.00 and adopted her brother, luck ran out of them she sighted the criminals at Isihor, Benin City and alerted Soldiers on guard duty who gun down one of them and other escaped. Items recovered from him are;

1. One Audi 80 car EDO BEN-969-TW
2. One cutlass

D. DEATH OF ARMED ROBBER AND KIDNAPPER/LOST AND RECOVERY OF FIRE ARMS/CARTRIDGE/OTHER ITEMS;

On 23/01/2019 Inspector Monday Omokaro and Cpl Amadi Augustine attached to State Safer Highway patrol who were on their way to Oluku along Benin/Lagos expressway, Benin City, in Inspector’s Grand Cherokee Jeep, were attacked by armed robbers/Kidnappers, in the process one of the suspects Usman Mohammed ‘m’ was gun down and Cpl Amadi Augustine was also killed by the armed robbers/kidnappers and his long range smoke gunner taken by the suspects. DPO Ekiadolor Police Station and men moved to the scene and the criminal elements on sighting them took to their heels. The following items were recovered;

1. One (1) AK 47 Rifle with breach No. 1968TE8266
2. One (1) live Cartridge
3. Four Expended Cartridges
4. Eighteen Expended AK47 (7.62mm) Ammunition
5. One Itel phone
6. One Identity card of the dead suspect
7. One Wallet with cash sum of #4,500
8. One sack containing some clothes
9. Two bearings  

On 24/01/2019, operatives while on Hi-Tech investigation in the same case arrested one Yahaya Mohammed ‘m’ aged 40yrs old in connection with the case. He made statement and he is helping the Police in the investigation.

E. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT;

On 09/01/2019, operatives of Evbuotubu Police Station arrested one Onorode Sunday ‘m’ with two Techno phones and Infinix phone in a raid operation. Suspect made statement and confessed to the crime. Investigation is in Progress.

F. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS/CULTIST/RECOVERY OF ARMS/BATTLE AXE/CARTRIDGES;

On 21/01/2019, operatives of Iguobazuwa Division in Ovia South West local Government area of Edo State led by the DPO bust into a kidnappers hide out at Okada Junction by Hausa Bush Market and recovered one locally made pistol, one cut-to-size single barrel gun, two wooden toy guns, three pairs of black jean trousers, four (4) pairs sanders, three pairs of black shirt, one wrist watch and one black singlet. Investigation is ongoing to bring the criminal elements to book.

G. ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERY/RECOVERY OF ARM/VEHICLES

On 28/01/2019, operatives of Esigie Police Station received a distress call from one Anthony Sunny ‘m’, that a gang of armed robbers attacked and robbed him of his Toyota Camry car Reg. No. Edo BEN-62-KJ and other valuables, but luck ran against them as Operatives of Ugbekun Division on township patrol intercepted the armed robbers in the robbed Camry car, who engaged them on gun battle, in the process one of the robbers Efosa Osawe ‘m’ A.K.A Dogo was gun down, one Osawe ‘m’ a member and the dead armed robber’s girl friend were arrested. The following items were recovered from them; one locally made cut-to-size single barrel gun with one expended cartridge. Investigation is in progress.

H. ARREST OF ROBBERY SUSPECT/RECOVERY OF ITEMS;

On 24/01/2019, Operatives of Evbuotubu Police Station arrested one Ogobidi Nwanne ‘m’ aged 25yrs old near Ugbiyoko Primary School, Benin City. Immediately he was searched and the following items were recovered from him;

1. One hundred and sixty four thousand, Eight hundred naira (#164,800.00)
2. One new shirt
3. One ¾ new jeans
4. One handkerchief.

Suspect made statement and confessed being a thief and not an armed robber. He will soon be charged to court.

I. ARREST OF ROBBERY SUSPECTS/RECOEVRY OF ITEM;

On 05/01/2019, a gang of armed men attacked one Mrs. Odion Ufumwen ‘f and robbed her of her bag containing one Infinix hot 2 phone and some along Benin/Lagos Express road, by Isihor, Benin City. On 15/01/2019, the robbed Infinix hot 2 was tracked to one Paul Emmanuel ’m’, he was arrested and could not give reasonable account on how he acquired the phone,. Investigation is in progress and suspect will soon be process to court.

J. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY/CULTIST/RECOVERY OF ARMS/CARTRIDGES/JACK KNIFE/CHARM

On 30/01/2019, Operatives of Sabongida-Ora Division in Owan West Local Government area of Edo State in collaboration with vigilante group arrested  one Blacky Longe ‘m’ of Uzebba in Edo State during a joint raiding operation and recovered from him the following items;

1. One (1) Cut-to-size single barrel gun
2. Three (3) live Cartridges
3. One (1) expended cartridge
4. One (1) Jack Knife (Dagger)
5. Some Charm

In another operation, on 30/01/2019, the operatives in collaboration with vigilante group arrested one Prince Ifah ‘m’ at Uzebba with one cutlass. Suspect made statement and confessed being a member of ‘Baby Bird’ secret cult confraternity. He will soon be processed to court.

K. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS/RECOVERY OF ITEMS

On 18/01/2019, operatives of the Command received a distress call from one Evbosonion Socrates ‘m’ that when he and his families were on their way home, a gang of armed robbers attacked and robbed them of their phones, ATM Cards, a Cash sums of #37,000, one Wrist Watch, one Necklace and some other valuables worth thousands of Naira on gun point. Acting on this information, the following suspects were arrested; Edoseghe Ovouramwen ‘m’ aged 24yrs, Mavis Imade ‘m’ aged 27yrs and Akim Benjamin ‘m’ aged 27yrs. Items recovered are; one Red Techno Carmon X PRO and one constructed wooden gun shaped stick in form of a gun. The case is under investigation.

2. KIDNAPPING

A. RESCUE OF KIDNAP VICTIMS/RECOVERY OF VEHICLES

On 16/01/2019 at about 2230hrs, Operatives of Okada Division, Edo State acting on a distress call met one Ash colour Toyota Corolla, Reg. No Lagos MUS-185-CM parked with the engine-on and head lamp-on along Isuwa slope, one Honour Ibenye ‘m’ aged 55yrs old was rescued and vehicle recovered. Victim said his three (3) brothers were kidnapped and taken into the bush by some hoodlums. Operatives engaged in bush combing and on the 4^th  day his three brothers one Emeka Ibenye ‘m’, Stephen Ibenye ‘m’ and Emeka ‘m’ surname unknown were also rescued unhurt and they have since re-united with their families.

In another development the operatives of Okada Division rescued unhurt all 14 passengers of a commercial Bus vehicle Toyota Hiace, navy blue in colour Reg. No. AAA-738-DY and recovered the same vehicle. They have since been reunited with their families.

B. RESCUE OF KIDNAP VICTIM

On 22/01/2019, Evbuotubu Divisional Police Headquarters, Benin City rescued unhurt one Queen Abigil Egbo ‘f’ who was kidnapped in her home at No 25, Ekoma Street, Okhokugbo, Benin City, by unknown four (4) man gang, operating in their Audi 80 car Reg. No. Edo BEN-749-GK. Following a complaint received from her husband one HRH Johnson Egbo ‘m’. Victim has since reunited with her family, while operatives are on the trail of the criminal elements. 

C. RESCUED OF KIDNAPPED VICTIMS;

On 01/01/2019, one Fidelia Azenabor ‘f’ was kidnapped at Jattu Community, Auchi, Edo State, but through a serious pressure mounted on the stronghold of the kidnappers, the victim was rescued unhurt on 16/01/2019. She has since been reunited with her family.

3. CULTISM:

A. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTIST

On 08/01/2019, Operatives of Esigie Police Station acting on distress call stormed Murtala Mohammed Way, Benin City and met one Osaze Okojie ‘m’, a cultist lying helplessly on the ground with matchet cuts on his head and body. He was said to have been attacked and wounded by some members of a rival secret cult group who were on a revenge mission. Investigation is ongoing.

B. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS;

On 06/01/2019, operatives of Ogida Police Station, Benin City acting on a distress call arrested two suspected cultists one Emmanuel Osazumwen ‘m’ Owiebo ‘m’ while others took to flight that attack and wounded another rival cult  member, one Eguavoen Edobor ‘m’ at Ohonba line, off Siluko road, Benin City. Suspects made statements and confessed to the crime. Investigation is on going.

C. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS;

On 17/01/2019, operatives of New Benin Police Station, Benin City accosted and arrested three (3) cultists, one Obazee Monday ‘m’ aged 22yrs, Scott Eina aged 24yrs and Odo Kingsley ‘m’ aged 25yrs who were inside a commercial bus drinking hot drink mixed with Indian Hemp. The three (3) suspects made statements and confessed being members of Manfit secret cult group. Investigation is on going and suspects will be process to court accordingly.

D. ARREST OF SUSPECTED RITUALIST/RECOEVRY OF ITEMS

On 16/01/2019, operatives of South-Ibie Police Station, Edo State, acting on information arrested a suspected ritualist, one Kenneth Oviangbede ‘m’ at Afokha Street, Ihankpi quarters, Sabo, South-Ibie, Edo State recovered a sack containing the following;

1. Used children Pampers
2. Used female menstrual pads
3. Female bags
4. Female Brassieres

Suspect made statement and confessed to be ritualist. Investigation is in progress.

E. ARREST OF CULTIST/MURDER SUSPECTS;

On 11/01/2019, operatives of Ogida Police Station, Benin City arrested one Enoma Igbinora ‘m’, Fred Aghedo ‘m’ Onyema Okorocha ‘m’ Osaretin Junior ‘m’ and Ikumapayi Alaba ‘m’ who were on rampage in carrying out clandestine cult activities at No 10, Eweka Street and killed a rival cult member; one Eze Enabulele ‘m’. Suspects made statements and confessed to the crime. Investigation is in progress.

F. ARREST OF CULTISTS/RECOVERY OF ARMS/CARTRIDGES;

On 20/01/2019, operatives of Anti Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Unit arrested eight (8) cultists, recovered one (1) locally made cut-to-size single barrel gun, one (1) locally made pistol, fifty (50) rounds of live cartridges, one Eiye secret cult blue beret with cowries and two parcel of cannabis satiba from them. Suspects made statements and confessed being members of different secret cult groups. Investigation is in progress, thereafter, suspects will be process to court accordingly. The suspects are;

1. Osayuware Aigbogun ‘m’ A.K.A EBO Aged 23yrs
2. Emmanuel Ogiemudia ‘m’ A.K.A Ekpoma (Capon) Aged 25yrs
3. Osarenkhoe Etinosa ‘m’ A.K.A ade aged 24yrs
4. Ehizogie Ogandu ‘m’ A.k.A, Akpan aged 25yrs
5. Chidi Ukpai ‘m’ aged 23yrs
6. Osaruyi Daniel  Bakare ‘m’ aged 27yrs
7. Joseph Oladimeji ‘m’ aged 24yrs
8. Imadiyi Lucky ‘m’ aged 22yrs

G. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS/RECOVERY OF ARMS/BATTLE AXE/ CATRIDGE

On 21/01/2019, operatives of Auchi Area Command, Edo State responding to a distress call arrested four (4) cultists one Lucky Anthony ‘m’, Sunday Anthony ‘m’ John Omosuanfo ‘m’ and Omomoh Omozuanfo ‘m’ in different locations of Iyora village in Etsako West Local government are of Edo State, who were allegedly initiating new members into Vikings and Jurist secret cults confraternity. Suspects made statements and confessed being members of the above named confraternity. Investigation is ongoing. Items recovered from them are:

1. One locally made single barrel gun
2. Battle axe
3. One cartridge

H. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS

On 09/01/2019 operatives of Anti Cultism Unit acting on a distress call that some cultist were holding their meeting at Okomu Community, Edo State. They swung into action and arrested the following suspects; one Cletus Tragama ‘m’, Emmanuel Augustine ‘m’, Peter Wazor ‘m’, Ordunate Tarwase ‘m’ and Friday John ‘m’. Suspects have made confessional statement to the crime. The will soon be process to court.

I. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTIST

On 23/01/2019, operatives of New Benin Police Division arrest one Agho Osabohien ‘m’, a member of Eiye secret cult confraternity. Suspect made statement and confessed to the crime. Investigation is ongoing.

J. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS

On 25/01/2019, operatives of Anti Cultism Unit while on township patrol arrested two suspects one Emeka Ogoke ‘m’ and Michael ‘m’. They made statements and confessed being members of Aye secret cult confraternity. Investigation is in progress in arresting other members.

K. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTIST

ON 28/01/2019, operatives of Anti Cultism Unit while on township patrol arrested one Emmanuel John ‘m’, a native of Igiobhudu village in Uhnumwonde Local Government Area of Edo State. The suspect made a confessional statement that he is a member of Jurist Secret cult, that he was initiated by Austin ‘m’ and Gosic ’m’ who are presently at large. He also confessed that he took part in the recent cult clash in Benin City. Efforts are on to track down other members of the group.

L. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS

On 26/01/2019, operatives of anti Cultism Unit arrested one Elijah Ojeifo ‘m’, Michael Francis ‘m’, Ehis Ehimare ‘m’ and Destiny Erinmhene ‘m’ from Uromi, Edo State. Suspects made confessional statements that they are members of Vikings, Maphite and Eiye secret cults confraternity. Investigation is ongoing.

M. ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT/ RECOVERY OF FIREARM

On 23/01/2019, Command Operatives arrested two (2) suspected armed robbers/cultists one Idehen Osarenmwinda ‘m’ and Precious Osayande ‘m’   who attacked passersby, force them into the bush and robbed them at Aso Water Mechanic road, off Siluko road, Benin City. Suspects made statements and confessed to the crime. The following items were recovered from them;

1. one locally made double barrel cut-to-size gun with
2. Three (3) live cartridges.

N. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS

On 27/01/2019, operatives of Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) acting on information bust into a group of suspected cultists at Upper Sakponba road, Benin City and arrested nine (9) of them who confessed being members of Vikings secret cult confraternity. The suspects are;

1. Izigbe Elvis ‘m’ aged 24yrs
2. Ufumwen Osaigbokhan ‘m’ aged 19yrs
3. Edobor Omoruyi  ‘m’ aged 21yrs
4. Osasere Aruagbon ‘m’ aged 20yrs
5. Okurobo Etiosa ‘m’ aged 18yrs
6. Osayomwonbor Festus ‘m’ 31yrs
7. Edoisiagbon Osakpamwan ‘m’ 21yrs
8. Uyi Omoragbon ‘m’ 32yrs
9. Nosa Erabor ‘m’ 28yrs

4. MURDER

A. ARREST OF MURDER SUSPECT

On 18/01/2019, the operatives of Oba Market Police Station acting on distress call arrested seven (7) suspects, Friday Osaigbovo ‘m’ Osagie Aimalawa ‘m’ Ogochukwu Oha ‘m’ Godwin Jackson ‘m’ Daniel Ovire ‘m’ Niyi Obasuyi ‘m’ and Adodo Junior ‘m’ in connection with the murder of a boy of about 26yrs whose names are unknown, that was beaten to death by the suspects on 18/01/2019 at Iyaro Water Board, Benin City. Investigation is in progress and suspects will be processed to court soonest.

B. ARREST OF MURDER SUSPECTS;

On 16/01/2019, operatives of Esigie Police Station, Benin City while on township patrol saw a lifeless body of a man lying on his pool of blood with bullet wound, on enquiry the victim was identified as one Moses Momoh ‘m’ aged 40yrs. He was allegedly murdered by some boys. During investigation three suspects were arrested one Iguma Osemwegie ‘m’ Evans Chukwu ‘m’ and Eric Omozuwa ‘m’ in connection with the dastardly act. Body of Moses Momoh ‘m’ has been deposited at Jessy Hospital Mortuary, Benin City. Investigation is ongoing.

C. ARREST OF MURDER SUSPECT

On 23/01/2019, operatives of Abudu Division received a distress call from one Godfrey Idahosa ‘m’ that his younger brother one Matthew Idahosa ’m’ aged 50 yrs old was attacked with a matchet by one Atekha Iyare ‘m’ at Osa village farm in Abuduthat led to his death, thereafter made away with hisunregistered Lifan motorcycle to Afuze, Edo State. He was later arrested, made statement and confessed to the crime. Investigation is ongoing, thereafter suspect will be processed to court. Items recovered from him are;

1. One unregistered Lifan motorcycle
2. One cutlass used by the suspect

D. CULT ACTIVITIES/MURDER

There was heightened criminal activities viz cultism by rival cult group; the black Axe, Eiye, Black Mafias, Vikings and Aye one of which was the cult fight that took place at Nomayo Street, Upper Sakponba road, Benin City where a Police Sergeant Monday Ehigie attached to Executive Chairman Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, was shot by the cultists, though he gallantly killed two of them before giving up the ghost.

In another development, the Command carried out raid operation in Upper Sakponba black spots and criminal hide outs and arrested six (6) cultists and recovered one cut-to-size gun from them. The suspects are;

1. Jeffery Ugiagbe ‘m’ aged 18yrs
2. Iyamu Mavis ‘m’ aged 22yrs
3. Uizeagie Victory ‘m’ aged 20yrs
4. Udoh Monday ‘m’ aged 18yrs
5. Monday Emmanuel ‘m’ aged 20yrs
6. Osakpolor Promise ‘m’ aged 26yrs

5. STEALING

A. ARREST OF SUSPECT FALON/RECOEVRY OF COW;

On 13/01/2019, operatives of Igueben Police Station, Edo State received two Fulani men one Ibrahim Abubakar ‘m’ aged 38yrs, Babangida Momodu ‘m’ aged 27yrs, Gango Hassan aged 22yrs and Umoru Alhaji Bello 25yrs from HRH Onogie of Udo, who were caught by the vigilante group, stealing a cow from one Ahamodu Haruna ‘m’ aged 57yrs old. Suspects made statements and confessed to the crime. They have since being charged to Magistrate court Igueben and currently on remand.

B. ARREST OF /RECOVERY OF STOLEN VEHICLE

On 29/01/2019, operatives of Conflict Resolution Unit received a complaint that, one Omoregbe Tunji ‘m’ was having in his possession a stolen Toyota Bus Reg. No. Ondo REL-11-XA swung into action and arrested the suspect with the said vehicle along Ekehuan Motor Park, Benin City. Suspect made confessional statement that he stole the vehicle in the month of December 2018 from Irele town in Ondo State, and registered it here in Benin City for commercial purposes. He will soon be charged to court.   

SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS

NUMBER OF ROBBERY SUSPECTS = 15

NUMBER OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS = 54

NUMBER OF ARMS RECOVERED = 1 (AK47 RIFFLE)

NUMBER OF CUT-TO-SIZE GUN RECOVERED = 8

STEALING SUSPECTS ARRESTED = 3

NUMBER OF SINGLE BARREL GUN RECOVERED = 1

NUMBER OF LIVE CARTRIDGES RECOVERED = 55 

NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECOVERED = 6

NUMBER OF MURDER SUSPECTS ARRESTED = 11

NUMBER OF KIDNAPPING SUSPECTS ARRESTED = NIL

NUMBER OF KIDNAPPED VICTIMS RESCUED = 20

NUMBER OF ROBBERY VICTIMS RESCUED = NIL

NUMBER OF BATTLE AXE = 2

CASH SUM RECOVERED = #200,800

Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu, CP Edo State