PRESS RELEASE

EDO COMMAND RECORDS REMARKABLE WEEKLY ACHIEVEMENTS, HIGHLIGHTS FIRST-EVER DRONE-LED RESCUE OPERATION

The Edo State Police Command has recorded a series of significant operational successes since the beginning of the year, showcasing its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. The week’s operations reflect a combination of intelligence-led policing, strategic deployments, community safety partnerships and innovative technology.

The Command received a report of kidnapping incident at Egbojo Ikabigbo Community in Jattu and immediately, the Divisional Police Officer Jattu Division was mobilized with his troops in collaboration with vigilantes and Hunters. The Commissioner of Police CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, also charged the Eagle Combat Drone Unit, a team of drone experts recently trained and equipped by the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo on its first ever rescue mission. In the early hours of today, 9th January 2026, at about 4:25am, 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. The victims, one adult male, three adult females, and five children were rescued unhurt. This landmark deployment underscores the transformative role of technology in modern policing and sets a new benchmark for operational enhancement in Edo State.

Other key operations during the week include:

1. *Recovery of a stolen vehicle and arrest of a suspect:* On 8th January 2026, a black Toyota Yaris (Reg. No. BEN 952 CL) which was reportedly snatched at gun point along Ugbowo was recovered along Otorekpen Street, Siloko Road, Benin City, while one suspect, Oluwashegun Ajayi ‘M’ an Armed Robbery syndicate member, terrorizing Uwelu Quarters in Benin City was arrested. The vehicle owner one Friday ‘M’, has since been notified for claim.

2. *Arrest of a Seven-man- gang Armed Robbery syndicate:*

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 lrest of child trafficking syndicate:

On 8th January 2026, one Ebhomien Matthew Asibor ‘m’ of Uromi alerted the Command after learning that a mother who is allegedly involved in a trafficking arrangement. 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 new born baby boy was safely retrieved, and evidence of the monetary transaction of One Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,400,000) was recovered. Suspects will be charged to court.

The Commissioner of Police CP Monday Agbonika, fdc, assures the good 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.