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Tag: Edo State Police Command

  • Police arrest 44 suspected criminals in Edo

    The Edo State Police Command said on Sunday that it  arrested no fewer than 44 suspects for various crimes in the state.

    State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Kokumo, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the command’s activities in the last few months.

    Kokumo said that the suspects were arrested in different parts of the state between June and July.

    He said the suspects were arrested for crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism.

    He disclosed that arms and ammunition recovered from the suspects include double barrel riffles, cartridges, locally made pistols, as well as battle axe.

    Other items recovered from them include three computer sets, and telephone handsets.

    The CP further said that in continuation of the mop-up of illegal arms and ammunition in circulation earlier initiated in March and in compliance with I-G Ibrahim Idris directive that some arms were mopped up.

    He disclosed that the arms include one dismantled Jojeff pump action rifle, three locally made single barrel guns, one fabricated gun and 11 live cartridges.

    He also said that two suspects were arrested during the mop-up.

    The police commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to rid the State of crime and criminality and make the State safe for the citizens.

    He, however, urged the citizens to be vigilant at all times and report any clandestine activities in their domain to security agencies.

  • Four nabbed for kidnapping, armed robbery in Edo

    Men of the Edo State Police Command have arrested three persons for kidnapping and armed robbery.

    Three of the suspects, Daniel Kolade, Amos Oja and Osaro Oja had threatened to kidnap one Reuben Eghobor if the sum of N1m was not paid to them.

    They were said to have provided a Zenith bank account where the money would be deposited.

    State Police Commissioner, Babatunde Kokumo, said the suspects were arrested through diligence investigation and information supplied by members of the public.

    Kokumo listed items recovered from the suspects to include one Ak-47 rifle, one pump action gun, two double barrel guns, two dane guns and 16 live ammunition.

    He said the fourth suspect, David Ajiri was nabbed after their victim they shot and left for dead survived.

    The Edo police boss explained David and his gang had robbed one Jackson Okuomoise of his Lexus SUV marked BEN 330 TA and other valuables.

    He said the suspects shot their victim’s friend, Onyeka Uche and left him to die but Onyeka survived.

    Kokumo said it was narrative of Onyeka that led to the arrest of David.

    He said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

    Read Also: Police parade 40 for car snatching, robbery

  • Court throws out N500m suit against Police

    Court throws out N500m suit against Police

    An Edo State High Court has thrown out N500m fundamental human rights suit filed by Mr. Arisco Osemwegie against the Edo State Police Command.

    Mr. Arisco in pursuant of sections 34 and 35 of the Nigeria dragged the police to court over alleged inhuman treatment when he was invited to answer questions on newspaper publications congratulating him on his 2nd year as the self-styled Ogiamien Utantan of Benin Nation.

    Other defendants in the suit were the Oliha of Benin, chief Edionwe Oliha, the Esogban of Benin, chief David Edebiri, secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor and the Benin Traditional Council.

    Counsel to the police, Supretendent Peter Ogwumba argued that Arisco did not deny being the self-styled Ogiamien Utantan.

    Ogwumba told the court that such action was tantamount to causing breach of public peace if not well guided, contrary to section 249(5)(d) of the criminal code.

    He said Arisco jumped administrative bail by not honouring subsequent invitations.

    Counsel to other defendants, Chief Charles Uwensuyi Edosomwan informed the court that Ogiamien was a title whose functions have gone into extinction by virtue of the Benin Traditional Rulers and Chieftaincy law of 1979.

    He contended the Arisco’s action of becoming a Regeant over-night and addressing himself as His Royal Majesty Ogiamien Utantan of Benin Nation was an affront to the Oba of Benin because there can be no two Obas in Benin Kingdom.

    Counsel to Arisco, Godwin Oaikhena submitted that his client’s fundamental human rights has been breached because the police arrested and detained him for several hours over a newspaper publication wherein his well-wishers congratulated him on his second year anniversary as Ogiamien Utantan.

    Delivering judgment on the case, Justice Philip Imoedemhe held that there were no facts to show that the police meted inhuman treatment to Arisco.

    Justice Imoedemhe held that the palace of the Oba of Benin acted reasonably by writing to the police authority to investigate those behind the alleged congratulatory messages.

    Imoedemhe said the police acted within the purview of its Act by inviting Arisco Osemwegie, obtaining statement and granted him administrative bail in self recognizance.

    He dismissed the suit and described it as one aimed at frustrating the investigation and prosecution of the matter relating to the said publication.

  • Police recovers phone of slain UNIBEN Professor

    Police recovers phone of slain UNIBEN Professor

    Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said it has recovered the cell phone of Professor Paul Otasowie who was killed by yet to be identified gunmen.

    Late Prof. Otasowie of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in the University of Benin was killed on October 4 at his residence at Ekenwan Road.

    State Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, in a chat with newsmen said five suspects have been arrested in connection to the killing of Prof. Otasowie.

    CP Johnson said the phone of late Prof. Otasowie was recovered from a suspect.

    He stated that a family member of late Otasowie has identified the phone as being the one taken from the late Professor.

    Read Also: Police sanction 20 personnel for corruption

  • Police deploys tactical team to secure release of ex-DPO

    Police deploys tactical team to secure release of ex-DPO

    Edo State Police Command said it has deployed tactical team to secure release of an octogenarian and retired Superintendent of Police, Chief James Omafuaire.

    Chief Omafuaire was abducted alongside his wife, Victoria, at his Ikpeshi Quarry site in Akoko Edo local government area of Edo.

    Edo police spokesman, DSP Moses Nkombe, who confirmed the abduction, said the police had deployed tactical team in collaboration with local vigilantes and hunters to secure release of Chief Omafuaire.

    He assured that the entire forest in the area would be combed.

    It would be recalled that kidnappings have been on the increase in Edo State in the last two months.

    A musician, Osayomore Joseph, who was abducted on October 3 is yet to be released.

  • NBA threatens to withdraw services from kidnappers, armed robbers

    NBA threatens to withdraw services from kidnappers, armed robbers

    Benin branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has threatened not to represent kidnappers and armed robbery suspects in the state if Edo ace musician, Osayomore Joseph and the Executive Director of Ogba Zoo and Nature Parks, Mr. Andy Ehanire were not released immediately.

    In a communique signed by its chairman, Barr. Ede Asenoguan and Secretary, Osazuwa Omonuwa and made available to newsmen, the NBA condemned the spate of insecurity in the state.

    It said plans were on to convene a security summit where all relevant stakeholder will converge to brainstorm and fashion out the way forward.

    The NBA urged the state police command to “sharpen their strategies with a view to adequately confronting the security challenge being foisted on the state by clandestine activities of these hoodlums and their collaborators.

    “Those responsible for the kidnap and continued abduction of Mr Ehanire and Ambassador Osayomore Joseph should release them immediately and unconditionally.

    “That the Bar shall be forced to resume the withdrawal of her services to kidnap and armed robbery suspects in the state if the situation does not improve. That concerted efforts of all other security agencies in the state should work in tandem with the Edo state Police Command to confront these twin evil of kidnapping and armed robbery currently ravaging the peace of the state.

    “That all residents of the state should be sensitive and ready to assist all the security agencies with relevant information in order to flush out the activities of these criminal minded persons in our midst”.

  • Edo: 118 suspects arrested in one month- Police

    Edo: 118 suspects arrested in one month- Police

    Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said it arrested a total of 118 suspects for offenses ranging from armed robbery, murder, cultism, human trafficking and kidnapping between 10 of August to 13 September 2017.

    It said the suspects were arrested in various parts of the state.

    State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Haliru Gwandu, who stated this at a press briefing, said 27 fire arms, 61 live cattrages, 16 kidnappers and four vehicles were recovered from the suspects.

    Gwandu said 44 of the suspects have been charged to court.

    He attributed successes recorded by his Command to information volunteered by members of the public.

    The Edo Police Command said the police would do all in its power to make the state conducive for business activities to thrive.

    The police boss however cautioned criminal elements in the state to repent or relocate as the Command is bent on making the state very uncomfortable for them.

    He said other suspects would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.

  • Police nabs suspects in Edo community crisis

    Police nabs suspects in Edo community crisis

    Edo State Police Command said several suspects have been arrested in connection with the crisis rocking Oghoghobi community in which a former youth chairman was killed and the palace of the traditional ruler razed.

    The former youth chairman, Mr. Lambert Igbinomwahia popularly known as ‘let them say’ was killed by unknown gunmen at his residence.

    Angry villagers fingered HRH Kingsley Omorose as being behind the killing and stormed his palace destroying everything.

    Other properties belonging to the traditional ruler were torched.

    Speaking to newsmen, State Police Commissioner, Haliru Gwandu, said some suspects have been arrested in connection to the crisis.

    Gwandu noted that preliminary investigation showed that crisis in Oghoghobi began after activities of Community Development Association were outlawed.

    The police CP stated that the disbandment of CDA activities didn’t go down well with some members of the community.

    He said disputes in the community has been under investigation at the Zone Five Police Headquarters, Benin involving the deceased and some members of the community.

     

  • Killer teenager begs for life

    Killer teenager begs for life

    A 19-year boy, Lawrence Uyimwen, who confessed to have killed some of his rival cultists, has said he needed a second chance at life.

    Lawrence who was paraded at the Edo State Police Command said he joined Junior Eiye fraternity at the age of 17 at Auchi, Estako West local government.

    He said he killed his victim like chicken because they first attacked members of his cult group.

    Lawrence who spoke boldly about his exploits as a cultists said he carried out the killings because he was ordered by the number one man in the gang.

    His words, “My name in the cult world is K-fisher. I was ordered to kill people by our leader called Slice. I was thought how to shoot by one boy called Biggie.

    “The other cult group attacked us and we retaliated. Biggie gave me the guns I used on my victims.

    “I have killed two persons. I killed them at Ekiadolor and Isihor. They were boys and cultists. It is our number one man, Slice, that gave the order to kill. My name in the cult world is Kfisher. I was given the name the day I was initiated. My parents did not know I am a cultist. My mother felt bad I joined cult group.

    “I will be happy if I am given a second chance to repent of my sins.”

     

  • Police parades 50 suspected criminals in Edo

    Police parades 50 suspected criminals in Edo

    Edo State Police Command Thursday paraded 50 persons arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms.

    The suspects were among those arrested between April and July in Edo State.

    State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu, who paraded the suspects, said it was information provided by members of the public that led to the breakthrough.

    Gwandu stated that many other suspects arrested within the period under review have been charged to court.

    He said large quantity of firearms including 132 live cartridges,126 rifles,two double barrel guns, 11 vehicles were recovered within the period under review.

    Among the suspects paraded was a 19-year old confessed killer teenager, Uyimwen Lawrence.

    Lawrence said he has killed two persons who are members of rival cult group and left others injured.