By Balarabe Oshiafi
Efforts to minimize incessant cases of robbery and kidnapping in Auchi and environs yesterday led to arrest some suspects by operatives of the Nigerian police and vigilante groups.
A news release signed by the Edo Police Command Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Moses Joel Yamu and made available to ExpressDay in Iyuku-Uzairue said,
“The Edo State Police Command has recorded significant successes in its ongoing efforts to rid the state of crime and criminality. In the last 48 hours, operatives of the Command have arrested several suspects in connection with armed robbery and kidnapping.
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“On 16/03/2024 at about 0430hrs, operatives of the Agbede Police Division alongside vigilante personnel, while on stop and search in Aviele along Abumere by power line, intercepted and arrested three (3) suspects namely; Jamilu Idris 20yrs, Usman Shuaibu 24yrs and Yahuza Usman 20yrs.
“Upon search, one (1) English made beretta pistol, one (1) dagger, and an Infinix phone were recovered from the suspects.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate responsible for kidnaping and armed robbery, including snatching of motorcycles in that axis of the state.
Investigation continues with a view to arrest other members of the syndicate.
“Similarly, on 16/03/2025 at about 2210hrs, operatives of the Auchi Division, in collaboration with the Vigilante on routine stop and search at UBA junction Auchi, intercepted two (2) young men.
“The young men who took to their heels on sighting the Police, were given a hot chase, and one Adamu Usman of Hausa Quarters was arrested while his accomplice escaped.
“On the spot search led to the recovery of a cash sum of one million, three hundred and forty-five thousand, one hundred naira (#1,345,100) believed to be proceeds of kidnapping, five (5) micro sim cards, one machete, one dagger, two (2) phones and a pack of cigarettes.
“During preliminary investigation, two (2) additional suspects namely Iliyasu Abubakar 19yrs and Safiyanu Mohammed 20yrs were arrested, while one of the sim cards was discovered to belong to one Ajibola Sunday of Igbirra camp in Auchi.
“When Ajibola Sunday was contacted and invited to the station, he identified the suspect as being part of the Eight (8) man gang that kidnapped him and his mother in-law on 11/03/2025 and their relations had to part with the sum of ten million naira (#10,000,000) to secure their release.
“The Commissioner of Police Edo State Police Command CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, wishes to assure the public of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, and to bringing perpetrators of crime to justice”.
