Edo Security Corps arrests 18 suspected kidnappers, recovers arms

Tony Osauzo, Benin

The Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) announced on Friday that it had apprehended 18 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers along the Benin-Auchi axis of Edo State, recovering 38 locally made guns, pellets, and several charms in the process.

The Corps Commandant, Commissioner Friday Ibadin (retd), who made this known in a press statement, said the arrest was made during a bush-combing exercise along the Benin-Auchi Road by Eguedion Camp, close to an army checkpoint.

Identifying 17 out of the 18 arrested suspects as non-indigenes, Commandant Ibadin reassured Edo citizens of the government’s commitment to ensuring their safety and providing an enabling environment during this farming season. He stressed that his men would continue to exert more effort to ensure Edo State is completely rid of criminals.

“Today, 14th February 2025, while on patrol along Benin-Auchi Road by Eguedion Camp, close to the soldiers’ checkpoint, two persons were sighted holding guns. On sighting my men, they took to their heels. They were chased to a camp where 18 persons were arrested.

“Seventeen of the 18 arrested suspects are non-indigenes, while one is an indigene from Agbede community. Thirty-eight fully loaded locally made guns and charms were also recovered in the process. Our men will continue to comb the bushes and sensitise locals to ensure our forests are rid of these criminals and that Edo State is safe and secure for all,” he said.

Handing over the suspected criminals to the DPO of Agbede Police Station, Commandant Ibadin called for closer synergy between the corps and other security agencies in the state, stressing that a collaborative effort is needed to completely rid the state of criminal elements.

This recent arrest by men of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) comes a few days after Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, gave a marching order to security agencies to flush out criminals in the state and make Edo forests and bushes safe and secure for farmers and the Edo people in general.