The Edo State Police Command has apprehended nine individuals in connection with kidnapping, cultism, robbery, and other criminal activities.
Spokesperson Eno Ikoedem disclosed the arrests in a statement on Sunday, noting that the operations were intelligence-driven and conducted across Benin City over the past week.
“The Edo State Police Command achieved significant operational successes across Benin City during the week, thanks to sustained intelligence-led patrols, prompt response to distress calls, and proactive crime-fighting strategies under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika,” Ikoedem said.
In the early hours of Saturday, January 25, 2026, operatives received credible reports of gunshots from a residence on Erediuwawa Street, off Sapele Road. Officers of the Eagle Crack Unit were immediately deployed, resulting in the arrest of 41-year-old Emmanuel Omorodion after a brief chase. A double-barrel gun and a live cartridge were recovered from him, while other suspects managed to escape.
She added, “Following actionable intelligence on cult-related criminal activities around the Eyaen axis, the Intelligence Rapid Response Team targeted a suspected gang involved in kidnapping, extortion, cultism, and other violent acts terrorising residents.”
The raid, conducted at Ibojije Hotel, Eyaen, led to the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Usifo Omojale, along with five others. The suspects, identified as Imafidon Jesurobo Frank (31), Godstime Iliyoma (23), Lukeman Itsagwode (38), Usifoh Omomgiade (31), and Ibhafidon Omonkhegbe (35), all confessed membership in the Aye confraternity.
Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the wider network, and the suspects are set to be arraigned in court.
In a separate operation on Thursday, January 23, 2026, at about 2:40 a.m., officers from the Ugbor Division, working with the Edo State Security Network, responded to a distress call regarding an armed robbery on Uwadia Street, off Ogunmenyi Community. One suspect, Gondas Innocent, was arrested after sustaining pellet injuries during a shootout.
Recovered from him were three machetes, a laptop, an iPhone, a hair clipper, and various clothing items. Another suspect, Tasman Nanman, was apprehended at an uncompleted building identified as their hideout.
Ikoedem assured that investigations into all cases are ongoing, and all suspects will be prosecuted according to the law. She reaffirmed the command’s dedication to intelligence-led policing, continuous patrols, and collaboration with other security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
The police spokesperson also urged residents to provide timely and credible information, stressing that community cooperation is vital for effective law enforcement.
Earlier reports by PUNCH Online indicated that the command had arrested at least 14 suspects linked to cult-related activities, including the hijacking of a corpse and interference with a burial, incidents during which two commercial motorcyclists were injured.
