By Jethro Ibileke
Nine kidnapped victims have been rescued by operatives of the Edo State Police Command. And arrested other criminals during the week following the deployment of first ever drone rescue operation in the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, who announced this on Saturday, noted that through the drone-led operation, one adult male, three adult females, and five children were rescued unhurt.
He said the Eagle Combat Drone Unit, a team of drone experts recently trained and equipped by the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, carried out the operation at Egbojo Ikabigbo Community in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government of the state.
According to a statement on Saturday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, the Commissioner noted that it was the first-ever rescue mission, using a drone.
“In the early hours of today, 9th January 2026, at about 4:25 am, in the heat of the rescue operation, the kidnappers’ camp was located through real-time aerial intelligence. The ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.
“This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State,” he emphasised.
Highlighting other achievements within the week, he explained that the command arrested other criminal including the killers of a PoS operator.
“Following the murder of a POS operator at MM Way, off Sapele Road, Benin City, investigation led operatives of Eagle Raiders Squad to the arrest of seven members of the syndicate responsible. Their armoury at Idahosa Street off Mission Road was stormed, while one locally made 8-round revolver, one locally made single barrel Pistol were recovered. Also recovered was one white mini-bus with Registration Number NNE 74XD ANAMBRA, which was used for the operation. Idemudia Enadeghe ‘m’ a.k.a. Sobobo, aged 33 years, Musa Abdulsalam ‘m’ a.k.a. Kulele, aged 33 years, Kelechi John ‘m’, a.k.a. Onowu, aged 25 years, Stefan Braimah ‘m’, aged 26 years, Wisdom Osasere ‘m’, a.k.a Eje, aged 29 years, Miracle Osayande ‘m’ a.k.a. Araba, aged 32years and Miracle Monday ‘m’, aged 28yrs all confessed to being members of Supreme Eiye Confraternity Cult.”
The command also arrested a car snatcher and recovered the stolen vehicle. “On 8th January 2026, a black Toyota Yaris (Reg. No. BEN 952 CL), which was reportedly snatched at gunpoint along Ugbowo, Benin, was recovered along Otorekpen Street, Siloko Road, Benin City, while onesuspect, Oluwashegun Ajayi ‘M’, an armed robbery syndicate member, terrorizing Uwelu Quarters in Benin City, was arrested. The vehicle owner on Friday ‘M’ has since been notified of the claim.
The Commissioner stated further: “On 25th December 2025, one Nehikhara Austin reported that armed robbers broke into his home and robbed him of his black Lexus 330 vehicle with registration number BEN 819 EA. The Command is delighted to announce that the vehicle has been recovered through a harmonious operation between Ugbowo and Okhoro Division and has been returned to the owner. One suspect, Victor John ‘M’, aged 37 years, one of the 5-man syndicate that carried out that operation, was arrested following credible intelligence and has confessed to the crime.”
During the week, the Command also arrested a lady who allegedly connived with others to sell her baby boy for the sum of N1.4 million. “Acting swiftly, operatives of Iruekpen Divisional Headquarters arrested one Martina Dachung, the mother of the baby, who then led to the arrest of one Matron Ighalo Grace of Eguavon Medical Center, Uromi, and Oha Promise, all connected to the illegal transaction. The newborn baby boy was safely retrieved, and evidence of the monetary transaction of One Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,400,000) was recovered. Suspects will be charged in court, the Commissioner explained.
CP Agbonika assured the people of Edo State that the command will continue to sustain the onslaught on suspected hoodlums until the state is cleared of all forms of criminality.
Members of the public are urged to continue providing timely and credible information to aid the police in maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of all residents.
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