Officers of the Edo State Police Command have arrested 18 suspects for various crimes, including murder, defilement, armed robbery, car theft and cultism.

According to a statement read by the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, at a media parley on Wednesday, two suspects were arrested for murder, three for defilement, while four were arrested in connection with armed robbery and murder.

One suspect was arrested for car theft, two for armed robbery, and five for cultism. The operational manager of GUO Transport Company, Enearu Louis, was also arrested after ammunition and substances suspected to be cannabis were allegedly found in one of the company’s buses.

The CP said the arrests underscored the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, preventing crime, and maintaining peace and security across Edo State.

The statement read, “Two suspects have been arrested in connection with murder cases. In one of the cases, a female victim was allegedly murdered, had one of her breasts severed, and her corpse dumped by the roadside. Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court soon.

“Three suspects are in the command’s custody in connection with sexual assault and defilement of minors, including a two-year-and-nine-month-old girl and a four-year-old child. The cases are being handled by the command’s Gender and Family Unit, and the suspects will soon appear in court.

“The Auchi Area Command has dismantled a criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for the robbery of the popular Paparazzi Communication Complex in Auchi on July 12, 2026, during which the security guard on duty was murdered, and properties worth over ₦400m were reportedly stolen.

“The suspects are Hamisu Nuhu, male, aged 34, from Jattu, identified as the alleged mastermind of the robbery. Others are Suleiman Rabiu, Hussaini Gago and Ibrahim Haruna.”

The statement further disclosed that operatives intercepted a Toyota Ultra bus belonging to GUO Transport Company along the Benin-Lagos Road on October 20, 2026, during a stop-and-search operation.

The bus, with registration number AGU721ZL, was driven by Godwin Emeka, 37.

A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the recovery of 100 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 live ammunition, 50 rounds of 7.65mm-calibre ammunition, 200 rounds of 9mm-calibre ammunition and three bags containing substances suspected to be cannabis.

Louis, 40, identified as the transport company’s operational manager, was also arrested.

The CP added, “On August 31, 2026, operatives of the command arrested Osakpanwan Ekuase, male, aged 30, for allegedly stealing five vehicles from a mechanic workshop at Ogheghe Community, Benin City, where he reportedly posed as a worker.

“On October 17, 2026, at about 22:00 hours, while operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) were gathering intelligence along Upper Siluko Road, Benin City, they received information that some cultists were planning to initiate new members into the cult. The operatives consequently positioned themselves at a strategic point.

“The operatives arrested Kevwe Kokori, who claimed to be a vigilante member but led an attack against the operatives. Others are Omoregbe Iguma, Gabriel Kokori and Emmanuel Friday. Upon interrogation, they confessed to being members of the Eiye Secret Cult Confraternity. Efforts are ongoing to arrest others at large.”

The statement also said that on October 2, 2026, operatives acted on intelligence about suspected criminals gathering in an unfinished building around AY Junction, Ulegun Community, off the Benin-Abraka Road.

The operatives of the VCRU reportedly cordoned off the building and arrested Chidiebere Osazee, who was allegedly found with a cut-to-size single-barrelled gun.

According to the statement, Osazee confessed to being a member of the Eiye Secret Cult Confraternity and owning the recovered firearm. Efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the group.

The CP further disclosed that on October 11, 2026, the command received a complaint from a woman, identified as Blessing Ezekiel, that her boyfriend, Nanta James, also known as Sani, usually returned home late at night with bloodstains on his clothes.

Operatives of the VCRU, working with officers from Ugbor Division and members of the Edo State Security Corps, arrested James.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being an armed robber who specialised in dispossessing unsuspecting motorcycle riders of their motorcycles around Amagba, Ugbor and GRA in Benin City. As investigations continued, his accomplice, Sambo Nathan Bala, was arrested and also confessed to the crime. The stolen motorcycle was recovered,” the statement added.

The CP urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with the police and promptly report suspicious activities.