In a bid to set the record straight, the Edo State Police Command has come out to clarify the status of four men arrested with firearms in the state. The men, who were the subject of intense speculation on social media, with many believing they were armed herdsmen, have been identified as hunters from Kano State.
According to the police, the four individuals – Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu – were stopped by the Edo Security Network and subsequently handed over to police officers at the Ikpoba Hill Division. The items confiscated from them include three locally made guns, six empty cartridge shells, three partially filled cartridges, four machetes, and two daggers.
The police investigation revealed that the suspects were traveling from Doguwa in Kano State to the Uvbe community in the Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State for hunting purposes. This revelation puts to rest the speculation that had been rife on social media, with many claiming that the men were armed herdsmen.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has taken the opportunity to urge residents to refrain from spreading unconfirmed reports that could create unnecessary fear and anxiety. As investigations are still ongoing, the police are working to verify the suspects’ claims and determine the circumstances surrounding their arrest.
In a state where security is a top priority, the police command’s clarification comes as a welcome relief. The people of Edo State can rest assured that the authorities are working tirelessly to keep them safe, and that speculation and misinformation will not be allowed to cloud the facts.
As the investigation unfolds, one thing is certain: the police will get to the bottom of this story, and justice will be served. In the meantime, residents are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
