The Edo State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 821 criminal suspects and rescued 377 victims of kidnapping in a series of security operations carried out across the state in 2025.
The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, disclosed this on Monday in Benin City while briefing journalists on the Command’s year end security assessment and measures put in place to ensure a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebration.
Agbonika said the arrests were recorded through sustained, intelligence driven operations targeted at violent crimes and organised criminal networks operating within the state.
According to him, those arrested include 39 armed robbery suspects, 171 suspected kidnappers, 117 murder suspects, 62 persons linked to rape and other sexual offences, 239 suspected cultists, 36 suspects arrested for unlawful possession of firearms, as well as 157 others involved in various criminal activities.
He added that the Command also made significant recoveries during the period, including 11 stolen vehicles, 188 firearms of different calibres and 422 rounds of ammunition.
“These achievements clearly show our resolve to confront criminality head on and ensure that Edo State remains safe for residents and visitors,” the police boss said.
Agbonika attributed the successes to proactive policing strategies, improved intelligence gathering and increased collaboration with other security agencies, especially during the Yuletide season.
He said measures such as intensified visibility policing, strategic patrols, intelligence based deployments, stop and search operations and sustained community engagement were deployed to deter crime and build public confidence.
The Commissioner revealed that a major operation carried out in Edo North was personally led by him to dislodge criminal elements hiding in forests and other ungoverned areas.
He explained that the clearance operation, which lasted from December 14 to December 20, 2025, was conducted with the approval of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who authorised the deployment of helicopters and drones from the Police Air Wing.
Agbonika said the Edo State Government, under Governor Monday Okpebholo, provided critical logistical support for the operation.
“The exercise combined ground forces with aerial surveillance and involved strong inter agency collaboration with the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade, the Nigerian Air Force 107 Air Maritime Group, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, forest guards, local vigilantes and hunters,” he stated.
He assured residents that the clearance operations would continue beyond the festive period to sustain the gains recorded.
While wishing residents a peaceful Christmas and New Year, the Commissioner urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.
Agbonika also warned operators of private mortuaries against reports of missing corpses in some facilities, describing such acts as criminal and inhuman.
He said, “Anyone found culpable will be prosecuted. Families are advised to patronise government owned mortuaries where proper oversight is guaranteed.”
