Edo Police Command Records Major Breakthroughs in Fight Against Crime, Cultism and Kidnapping
By Ojo Evans
The Edo State Police Command has recorded a series of significant operational breakthroughs in its ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, sexual offences, vandalism and other forms of criminality across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Patrick Daaor, mnips, disclosed this during a press briefing, where he reaffirmed the Command's commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that Edo State remains an increasingly safe environment for residents, visitors and businesses.
CP Daaor said the Command was strengthening its operational posture by transforming Edo into a highly mobile command, with increased patrols, rapid response capabilities, intelligence gathering and closer collaboration with neighbouring police commands and other security agencies. He said the objective was to ensure that criminals would have no comfortable operating environment in the state.
According to him, the Command's policing strategy is anchored on prevention, swift intervention, intelligence-led operations, effective investigation and prosecution, while respecting the fundamental rights of citizens and upholding the rule of law.
Police Secure Remand of Suspects in Child Defilement Cases
Among the major breakthroughs highlighted by the Commissioner were several cases involving alleged sexual offences against minors.
On August 5, 2026, police arrested 52-year-old Daniel Erumudonmoh Okhuilegbe following an allegation involving a 13-year-old girl. The suspect was reportedly engaged as a home lesson teacher but was accused of abusing the trust placed in him and sexually assaulting the child. Following investigation, he was charged before the Benin High Court on August 14 and subsequently remanded at the Oko Correctional Centre, Benin.
Similarly, on August 6, the Command received a report concerning the alleged rape and defilement of a 15-year-old girl in Iyahmo. A 42-year-old man, identified as the girl's father, was arrested following a discreet investigation conducted after the matter was transferred to the State Police Headquarters. He was charged to court on August 14 and remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
The Command also reported the arrest of 29-year-old Samson Amachie over the alleged defilement of an 11-year-old girl in Okhoro. The case was transferred from Okhoro Police Station to the Gender and Family Support Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Benin on August 10. The suspect was accused of luring the child to an uncompleted building behind his shop, where the alleged offence occurred. He was subsequently arraigned before the Benin High Court and remanded at the Oko Correctional Centre.
In another case reported on August 12, 26-year-old Otaru Jonathan was arrested over the alleged defilement of a 14-year-old girl in Okpella. Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect allegedly took the girl on a motorcycle to an uncompleted building at Afokpella, where the alleged offence occurred, after which he reportedly gave her ₦2,000. The survivor was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation, while the suspect remains in custody as investigation continues ahead of his arraignment.
The Command also disclosed the arrest of 21-year-old Innocent Emmanuel over the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl in New Etete. The report was received on August 14, and the suspect was arrested and detained. The child was taken to Viviana Medical Centre for medical examination, while preliminary investigation continues.
In another case, police arrested a suspect identified as Orji Okoro following a report of alleged sexual assault involving a 12-year-old male apprentice. The Command said the report was received on August 13 and that investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Police Recover Stolen Lexus and Two Highlander SUVs
The Commissioner also disclosed major successes in the fight against armed robbery and vehicle theft.
On August 14, at about 1:15 a.m., six armed hoodlums reportedly invaded a compound on Jesus Christ Street, Iduowinna Community, where they robbed residents and occupants of neighbouring apartments of phones, laptops, wristwatches, perfumes, human hair and other valuables.
A Lexus 350 saloon car with registration number BWR 988 DH, belonging to one of the victims, was also taken away.
Following an immediate response, the scene was visited, divisions across the Command were alerted and patrols were intensified. At about 9:00 a.m. the same day, the stolen Lexus was recovered at Oba Market. Police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover the remaining stolen property.
On August 15, at about 1:00 p.m., surveillance operatives attached to Okhoro Division intercepted two Toyota Highlander SUVs suspected to have been stolen or abandoned at Five Junction, off Iheya-Uselu Lagos Road, Benin City.
One of the vehicles has since been confirmed as stolen. A toy gun was also recovered from one of the vehicles, while investigation continues to establish the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and identify those responsible.
Police Recover Firearms, Arrest Suspected Cult Members
The Command also reported significant progress in its campaign against cultism and illegal firearms.
On August 5, officers received a distress report from Flight Transport Services, Akpakpava, Benin City, after an unidentified man abandoned a sack presented for waybill to Benue State. A search of the sack reportedly revealed three locally made Beretta pistols concealed beneath unripe plantains.
Through technical intelligence and sustained investigation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested 27-year-old Andrew Friday on August 7 at Akpakpava.
According to the police, the suspect confessed to sending the sack and admitted membership of the Aiye Secret Cult Confraternity. He allegedly told investigators that the firearms had been given to him by one Bance, whose surname is unknown, from Iyanomo Community, for repairs in Benue State and subsequent use in an ongoing cult rivalry. Police said efforts were continuing to apprehend other persons connected with the matter.
In a separate operation at Egbaen Community, off Ekenhuan Road, Benin City, operatives of the Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnapping Unit, working with personnel attached to the Government House Task Force, arrested four suspected cult members.
The suspects were identified as 27-year-old Nuka Joseph, 30-year-old Osatohamwen Ogor, 30-year-old John Osewengie and 29-year-old Osezee Osayi.
The operation led to the recovery of four locally fabricated pistols, one locally made Beretta pistol and one cut-to-size double-barrel gun. The suspects allegedly confessed to membership of the Aiye Confraternity Cult. Police said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.
58 Rounds of AK-47 Ammunition Recovered
The Command further announced the recovery of 58 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and an additional magazine from a suspected kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate.
The Commissioner recalled that on June 29, 2026, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested two suspected members of a notorious kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate, identified as 22-year-old Mohammed Hamisu and 23-year-old Saidu Bebe, at Okada in Ovia North East Local Government Area.
During profiling, the suspects reportedly led police operatives to a forest bordering Abudu in Edo State and Obiaruku in Delta State, where three AK-pattern rifles and two magazines were recovered at different locations.
On August 12, the suspects again led operatives to the same forest, resulting in the recovery of 58 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and another magazine.
The Commissioner said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover additional operational weapons.
Two Arrested Over ₦150 Million AIT Equipment
Police also arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged vandalism of Africa Independent Television's premises along the Benin-Idogbo Road, Ikhueniro Community.
The incident was reported on August 10 at about 11:39 a.m. The suspects, identified as 26-year-old Martins Donatus and 28-year-old Mohammed Abubakar, were allegedly found in possession of television master control room transmission equipment valued at approximately ₦150 million.
The equipment has been recovered, while the suspects are assisting investigators in efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged syndicate.
Kidnap Victim Rescued, Suspect Arrested
Another major breakthrough was recorded by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit with the rescue of a female kidnap victim identified as Elizabeth William.
The victim, from Uwelu Quarters, Benin City, was rescued alive on August 5 following a distress call. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly met the victim through TikTok and subsequently established communication with her.
According to the police, the suspect later invited the woman to his residence at Ogheghe Community, off the Benin-Auchi Road by Egba, under the guise of a romantic date. She was allegedly held captive after arriving at the location, following which her family was contacted and a ransom of ₦500,000 was reportedly paid.
Police operatives subsequently rescued the victim and arrested the suspect, who the Command said was allegedly a member of the Aiye Secret Cult.
Police Urge Public to Remain Vigilant
CP Daaor urged residents to remain vigilant and look out for one another, particularly by paying attention to neighbours, friends, colleagues and loved ones.
He encouraged members of the public to check on vulnerable persons, ask questions and listen without judgment, stressing that timely information from residents can help prevent kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence and other crimes.
The Commissioner also reaffirmed the Command's commitment to accountability and professional conduct, urging members of the public with genuine complaints against police officers to approach the Police Complaint Response Unit and provide sufficient details to facilitate prompt and impartial investigation.
He stressed that the police would neither shield misconduct nor condemn any officer without due process.
No Safe Haven for Criminals, CP Daaor Declares
Concluding the briefing, the Commissioner said the achievements presented represented only a portion of the ongoing operations of the Edo State Police Command.
He said the Command would continue to intensify intelligence-led policing, strengthen highly mobile patrols and rapid response, deepen collaboration with sister security agencies and neighbouring commands, and pursue criminal elements wherever they operate.
CP Daaor appealed to residents to provide timely and credible information to the police, noting that such information could prevent a kidnapping, stop an armed robbery, expose a cult group or save a life.
He warned criminals and criminal groups seeking to operate in Edo State that the Command would leave no safe haven for them.
At the same time, he assured law-abiding residents of the Command's continued commitment to their safety, promising that the police would serve with professionalism, courage, discipline and respect for the rule of law.
He called for continued cooperation among the police, the media, traditional institutions, community leaders, other security agencies and the wider public, stressing that collective action remains essential to building a safer and more secure Edo State.