Metro

Edo Police Command Loses Officer, Vehicle To Suspected Bandits

Published

3 years ago

September 24, 2022

The Edo State Police Command on Saturday said it lost an operative and a vehicle to suspected fleeing bandits in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, Assistant Police Public Relations Officer of the command, a soft copy of which was made available to newsmen in Benin.

She said the bandits carried out the reprisal attack after the command’s operatives killed five kidnappers in the local government area last month.

ASP Jennifer added that the attack happened on September 22, 2022 at Ibillo-Igarra Road Junction of the locality while the police officers were on a bush combing mission.

She added that the anti-crime patrol team of the Ibillo division attacked and killed the five kidnappers on August 14, 2022 at Ughoshi- Afe bush, Ibillo in Akoko Edo LGA, Edo State.

The statement reads in part: “Continuation of our ongoing bush combing strategy to rid the state of heinous crimes, especially kidnapping, Edo State Police Command refutes claims that it was ISWAP, that carried out the attack by fleeing bandits at Ibillo-Igarra Road Junction, Edo State on 22/09/2022.

“We would recall that the anti-crime patrol team of the Ibillo division, Edo state attacked and killed five kidnappers on 14/08/2022 at Ughoshi- Afe bush, Ibillo in Akoko Edo LGA, Edo State.

“The team was ambushed by ravaging bandits while on another bush combing mission on 22/09/2022.

“The Command believes this was a mere reprisal attack on our men who had killed five of their gang members early last month, we lost an Operative and a vehicle.

“After a thorough investigation in collaboration with other Sister agencies, the Command wishes to state that the Command is on top of the situation as the CP has emplaced measure to that effect.

“The Command’s tactical teams led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations are currently carrying out an Operation with a view of bringing the assailants to book,”

ASP Jennifer noted that efforts are being intensified by the command to arrest the perpetrators, adding that the command’s men are in hot pursuit of the trail of the bandits.

She, however, refuted the allegations that the police operatives were attacked by Islamic State’s of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Metro

BREAKING: Bodies Of 8 Missing Policemen Recovered In Benue

Published

21 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Lifeless bodies of the eight policemen who were declared missing after a deadly attack on security operatives at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs of Benue State, have been recovered.

Dr Justin Shaku, Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA disclosed this to reporters in Makurdi on Monday.

According to him, “this brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG)”.

The unfortunate incident occurred on Friday, when a team of security operatives came under the attack of armed invaders.

Three personnel were immediately confirmed dead while eight others were declared missing.

Metro

Police Arrest Three Kidnappers Over ₦6.9m Ransom, Victim’s Murder

Published

21 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested three suspected kidnappers who allegedly killed one of their victims after collecting N6.9 million ransom.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed this in a statement issued on Monday.

Iringe-Koko identified the suspects as Hassan Mohammed (20) of Wandigah Town, Mandagali, Borno State; Bello Abubakar (25) of Roundabout Maura, Sokoto State; and Yusuf Ahmed (23) of Hazari LGA, Bauchi State.

She said the arrests followed an investigation into the abduction of Humphrey Wagbara of Igwuruta-Atali.

According to the PPRO, the suspects also kidnapped one Mercy Chinyere on September 12, 2025, at the same location, where they also collected a ransom of N3,500,000 before releasing her.

The statement read, “On 26th August, 2025, the Rivers State Police Command received a distressing report, suggesting the kidnapping of one Humphrey Wagbara, m of Igwuruta-Atali.

“Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU), Emohua Annexe, acting on this information and in a daring and coordinated operation on 19th September, 2025, at about 0200hrs arrested three suspects at different locations in Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of the State in connection with the kidnapping of the victim.”

Iringe-Koko said during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to their involvement in multiple kidnappings in the State.

Among their past kidnappings are those of Onwuli Jude and Nwabueze Nchekwube on September 24, 2025, at School Road, Igwuruta-Atali, where they collected a ransom of N6,900,000 before killing the victim.

“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one G-3 rifle with Breech Number 10398, one magazine, one Itel phone belonging to Humphrey Wagbara, a kidnapped victim, three short daggers, one jack knife and one stainless short knife,” Rivers police imagemaker said.

Iringe-Koko added that the suspects and exhibits remain in police custody while detectives track other fleeing members of the syndicate and search for additional weapons.

The Command said it arrested a 48-year-old man, Emmanuel George, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl (name withheld) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

According to Iringe-Koko, George committed the offence on September 6, 2025, after luring the minor while she was sent on an errand by her aunt.