CP Monday Agbonika, speaking

By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has described the proliferation of firearms as a major challenge in the State.

He stated this on Wednesday, while briefing journalists on his achievements for 30 days in office.

The CP disclosed that the Command operatives have been mopping out firearms from the

He said: “From the day I got into this State, I discovered that proliferation of firearms was a major challenge.

“The officers and men have worked tirelessly over these days, leading to the recovery of twenty-five (25) firearms including two (2) AK 47 rifles, 130rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 135 live cartridges, as well as the recovery of four (4) stolen/robbed vehicles.

“Even people who claim they are hunters, they have guns, pump action short guns, we have been taking them over, even when we don’t have any offense against them.

“We have been mopping out firearms and from our achievements, you can see that we have made some progress.”

Agbonika warned that the Command will not allow anyone, whether in the name of vigilantes or whatever, to carry firearms at will, unless they are authorized to do so.

Other achievements by the Command “in daring operations in the last 30 days, which involved technical intelligence and in collaboration with other security agencies include the rescue of 37 kidnap victims.

Among the victims was the PDP chairman in Esan West, Andrew Ikajiengbe, who was abducted at his farm in Emu forest. The CP confirmed that he has been rescued unhurt and without the payment of ransom.

He further explain: “Whenever kidnappers take victims, we go out after them, but, whenever we do that, we find it difficult to fire at them because they use their hostages as human shield.

“While they have the liberty to fire at us at will, we have to be very careful as we respond so that we don’t injure the victims we are trying to save.

“We are working at introducing other technological assistance in tracking these kidnappers so that it will be very easy to pick them out without hurting the victims.”