The Edo State Police Command has arrested nine suspects over alleged involvement in kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and other related criminal activities within Benin City.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, who said the operations were carried out within the past week through sustained intelligence-led patrols and rapid responses to distress calls.
According to the police, the command recorded notable operational successes across the metropolis following proactive crime-fighting strategies under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika.
Ikoedem explained that in the early hours of Saturday, January 25, 2026, police operatives received credible intelligence about repeated gunshots coming from a residence along Erediuwawa Street, off Sapele Road, Benin City.
Operatives of the Eagle Crack Unit were immediately deployed to the area, leading to a hot chase and the arrest of a 41-year-old suspect, Emmanuel Omorodion, while other suspects escaped. A double-barrel gun and one live cartridge were recovered from him.
The spokesperson further disclosed that operatives also acted on actionable intelligence regarding cult-related criminal activities within the Eyaen axis of Benin City.
She said police investigations revealed that a criminal gang allegedly involved in kidnapping, extortion, cultism and other violent acts was holding a meeting at Ibojije Hotel in the area.
A raid by operatives of the Intelligence Rapid Response Team resulted in the arrest of the alleged kingpin, Usifo Omojale, alongside five other suspects.
The arrested suspects were identified as Imafidon Jesurobo Frank, 31; Godstime Iliyoma, 23; Lukeman Itsagwode, 38; Usifoh Omomgiade, 31; and Ibhafidon Omonkhegbe, 35.
Police said all six suspects confessed to being members of the Aye confraternity cult.
Ikoedem stated that investigations were ongoing to dismantle the entire criminal network, adding that all suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
In another operation carried out on Thursday, January 23, 2026, at about 2:40 a.m., operatives of the Ugbor Division, in collaboration with the Edo State Security Network, responded to a distress call reporting an armed robbery incident at Uwadia Street, off Ogunmenyi Community.
During the operation, one suspect, Gondas Innocent, was arrested after sustaining pellet injuries during an exchange of gunfire with security operatives.
Items recovered from the suspect included three machetes, one laptop, an Apple iPhone, a clipper and several clothing items. Another suspect, Tasman Nanman, was later arrested at an uncompleted building identified as the gang’s hideout.
The police spokesperson reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustained patrols, intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property across Edo State.
She also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that community cooperation remains critical to effective policing.
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