The Edo State Police Command has arrested six suspects over separate allegations of sexual offences involving minors, with some of the suspects already arraigned and remanded in custody.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Patrick Daaor, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin during a news conference on the command’s recent operational activities.
Daaor stated that the cases involved alleged sexual offences against children aged between eight and 15 years, with investigations still ongoing in some of the matters.
He revealed that a 52-year-old man was arrested on August 5 over an allegation involving a 13-year-old girl. The complainant alleged that the suspect, who had been engaged as a home lesson teacher, sexually assaulted the child. The suspect was charged before a Benin High Court on August 14 and subsequently remanded at Oko Correctional Centre.
In another case, a 42-year-old man was arrested following a report of alleged rape or defilement of his 15-year-old daughter in Iyahmo, Etsako West Local Government Area. After discreet investigation, the suspect was charged to court on August 14 and remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
A 29-year-old man was also arrested over the alleged defilement of an 11-year-old girl in Okhoro. The case was transferred from Okhoro Police Station to the Gender and Family Support Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department.
The complainant alleged that the suspect lured the child to an uncompleted building behind his shop, where he allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with her. The suspect was later arraigned before a Benin High Court and remanded at Oko Correctional Centre.
Furthermore, a 26-year-old man was arrested over the alleged defilement of a 14-year-old girl in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly took the girl on a motorcycle to an uncompleted building at Afokpella, where he had unlawful sexual intercourse with her and later gave her ₦2,000. The survivor was taken to hospital for medical evaluation, while the suspect remains in custody pending arraignment.
In another incident, a 21-year-old man was arrested over the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl in New Etete, Benin City. The complainant alleged that the suspect sexually assaulted the child while her parents were away from home.
The child had previously disclosed repeated sexual harassment by the same suspect. The victim was taken to Viviana Medical Centre for medical examination, while the suspect remains in detention.
The command also received a report on August 13 concerning the alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old male apprentice. The suspect has been arrested and investigation is ongoing.
Daaor assured residents of Edo that the command would continue to pursue cases of alleged sexual abuse while respecting the rights of all parties and ensuring due process.
The Commissioner highlighted several other breakthroughs. One of them was the recovery of three locally made Beretta pistols in Benin City. The weapons were concealed under unripe plantains in a sack abandoned at Flight Transport Services on Akpakpava. The sack had been presented for waybill to Benue on August 5 when an unknown man abandoned it. Technical intelligence led to the arrest of a 27-year-old man on August 7. The suspect confessed to sending the sack and admitted membership of the Aye Secret Cult Confraternity. He claimed the firearms were given to him for repairs in Benue and were intended for use in an ongoing cult rivalry. Investigation continues to track other persons connected to the matter.
Operatives of the Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnapping Unit, working with the Government House Task Force, also arrested four suspected cult members at Egbaen Community, off Ekenhuan Road, Benin City. The suspects, aged 27, 30, 29 and 30, allegedly confessed to membership of the Aiye Confraternity.
The operation led to the recovery of four locally fabricated pistols, one locally made Beretta pistol and one cut-to-size double-barrel gun. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
In a related development, the command recovered 58 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and an additional magazine from a suspected kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate. Two suspected members of the syndicate, aged 22 and 23, were arrested at Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, on June 29.
The suspects earlier led operatives to a forest bordering Abudu in Edo and Obiaruku in Delta, where three AK-pattern rifles and two magazines were recovered. On August 12, they again led operatives to the forest, resulting in the recovery of the 58 rounds of ammunition and an additional magazine. Efforts continue to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover more weapons.
On suspected criminal activity targeting media infrastructure, two suspects were arrested over the alleged vandalism of Africa Independent Television (AIT) premises along Benin-Idogbo Road, Ikhueniro Community. The suspects were arrested on August 10 in possession of television master control room transmission equipment valued at approximately ₦150 million. The exhibits have been recovered, and the suspects are cooperating with the police to extend the investigation.
The command also recovered a stolen Lexus 350 saloon car following a robbery at Iduowinna Community, Benin City. Six armed hoodlums invaded a compound on Jesus Christ Street at about 1:15 a.m. on August 14 and robbed residents of phones, laptops, wristwatches, perfumes and human hair. A Lexus 350 with registration number BWR 988 DH was also taken.
Police divisions were immediately alerted and patrols intensified, leading to the recovery of the vehicle at Oba Market at about 9 a.m. the same day. Investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and recover the remaining stolen items.
Additionally, two Toyota Highlander SUVs suspected to have been stolen or abandoned were recovered at Five Junction, off Iheya-Uselu Lagos Road, Benin City. A surveillance team attached to Okhoro Division intercepted the vehicles on August 15 at about 1 p.m. One of the vehicles is confirmed to have been stolen, while a toy gun was recovered from one of them. Investigation continues to establish the circumstances surrounding the vehicles.
On kidnapping, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit rescued a woman identified as Elizabeth William at Ogheghe Community, off Benin-Auchi Road, following a distress call on August 5. Preliminary investigation showed that the suspect allegedly met the victim through TikTok and invited her to his residence under the guise of a romantic date.
The lady was held captive and her family contacted for ransom. The sum of ₦500,000 was paid for her release. Preliminary findings also revealed that the suspect was allegedly a member of the Aiye Secret Cult.
Daaor stated that the command is strengthening its operational posture by making Edo a “highly mobile command” to deny criminals a comfortable operating environment. “Our approach is one of prevention, swift intervention, intelligence gathering, effective investigation and prosecution, while maintaining respect for the rights of all residents,” he said.
He added that the command is also deepening inter-command and inter-state collaboration to strengthen security operations across the state.
