BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Operatives of Edo State Police Command have arrested 357 suspected criminals for various offences, with a total of 332 of the suspects said to have been arraigned.
The arrests were made during intensified onslaughts against crime and criminality in the state between February 5 and April 21, 2021.
Over 119 assorted arms and ammunition as well as 15 brands of vehicles were recovered during the operations.
The Commissioner of police in Edo State CP Philip Ogbadu disclosed this to journalists shortly after a parade of some of the suspects at the state police command headquarters in Benin City, Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
The police boss gave the following as breakdown of the alleged offences and number of suspects nabbed; cultism 100, kidnapping 58,
armed robbery 81, rape 6, murder 50, defilement 7, unlawful possession of firearm 16, attempted murder 13, murder victims 34, and kidnapped victims, 22.
CP Ogbadu further stated that the following arms and ammunition were recovered during the period under review; one Ak-47 rifle with Breech No. 6244, one Lar Rifle gun, one Pump action gun, eight English made double barrel guns, 19 locally made cut-to-size guns, two AK 47 magazines, 53 live rounds of 7.62mm, seven locally made pistols, 28 lives Cartridges, and 15 brands of vehicles.
The police commissioner commended the state government and various communities for their support and participation in crime fighting, prevention and control in Edo State.
He explained that the state waterways hitherto used as getaway axis by criminals have been secured and normal businesses restored.
CP Ogbadu however assured that the other suspects were still helping operatives in their Investigations.
Confessing to the crime two suspects who identified themselves as ‘Palaver’ and Precious – members
of Eiye confraternity admitted to have gruesomely murdered one Kehinde Ayu at Oluku-Isihor area of Benin City.
