BENIN CITY: The Edo State Police Command has arrested 37 suspects over alleged involvement in cases of sexual and domestic abuse across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Monday Agbonika, made this known during a press briefing on Saturday in Benin City, where he presented a summary of the command’s achievements in crime-fighting for the month of September.

According to Agbonika, the arrests were part of deliberate and ongoing efforts to tackle the rising trend of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including rape and domestic assault.

“The suspects have been investigated and are being prosecuted in court,” the Commissioner confirmed.

Major Crime Busts Across Edo State

Beyond sexual and domestic abuse cases, the police command also recorded significant progress in combating other serious crimes.

Agbonika revealed that the police apprehended seven suspected kidnappers, while two others were neutralised in separate operations. A total of 48 kidnap victims were successfully rescued from captivity during the period under review.

The command also intensified operations against cultism, which has been a recurring concern in parts of the state. Agbonika disclosed that police officers disrupted several cult initiation ceremonies in Benin City, Auchi, and Ekpoma, resulting in the arrest of 38 suspected cultists, including key leaders of rival groups.

“The proactive operations of the command have helped reduce cult-related killings in Benin City to zero within the month,” he stated proudly.

Weapons and Items Recovered

During these operations, the police recovered a range of weapons and other items, including:

• Eight firearms

• 56 live ammunition

• Five expended cartridges

• Nine vehicles

• 18 motorcycles

• Six car master keys

• 10 University of Benin car security access cards

• One Android phone

• Nine Apple iPhones

• Two POS machines

These recoveries, according to the Commissioner, were results of sustained intelligence-led policing and community collaboration.

Community Policing and Intelligence at the Core

Agbonika emphasized that the command’s success was built on proactive crime prevention and intelligence sharing between police units and community leaders.

He commended officers, local vigilante groups, and residents for their cooperation and vigilance, adding that these partnerships have contributed to a significant decline in violent crime across Edo State.

“We remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. The command will continue to strengthen partnerships with communities and stakeholders to sustain these gains,” Agbonika assured.

The Edo State Police Command reaffirmed its resolve to make Edo a safe and secure state through strategic patrols, technology-driven intelligence, and strong collaboration with the public.