The Edo State Police Command has arrested 77 suspects for various criminal offences and rescued 38 kidnapped victims in a sustained crackdown on crime across the state in June 2026.
The Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, disclosed this on Friday while parading the suspects at the Command headquarters.
According to him, the suspects comprise 32 alleged kidnappers, 15 suspected cultists, three suspected armed robbers, 11 murder suspects, two suspects arrested for unlawful possession of firearms, and 14 others linked to rape and other sexual and gender-based violence, including defilement.
Agbonika said the arrests and rescues resulted from intelligence-led operations targeting kidnapping syndicates, cult groups, armed robbers and other violent criminals, carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and community-based security stakeholders.
He noted that the operations have significantly curtailed criminal activities across the state, stressing that there would be no safe haven for criminals in Edo.
The police commissioner attributed the successes to the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the professionalism of officers and men of the Command, and the support of residents who provided timely intelligence.
He also commended the Edo State Government, sister security agencies, local vigilante groups, hunters and community safety volunteers for their cooperation in the fight against crime.
