By Iduozee Paul, Benin Correspondent
Edo state commissioner of police, Danmallam Mohammed, has paraded 157 suspects involved in various crimes including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, assassination, car snatching, abduction, defilement and other criminal acts in the state.
Also paraded is a 55 years old woman, Hannah Ibadin arrested for receiving a stolen phone and selling it for N12,000.
She confessed to the crime in an interview with her.
According to the police, “On 10th September, at about 0002hrs, the command acting on information that armed robbers were operating at Debo Lane, Ujemen in Ekpoma, arrested one Sebastian Inegbedion ‘M’ aged 35 years, and Alabi Joshua ‘ M’ aged 22 years. One locally made pistol, two live cartridges, three expended cartridges and Vikings Confraternity regalia was recovered from them.
“On 16th September, 2019, the police arrested five members of a criminal gang who robbed Rev. Father David Aronakhale and Rev Father Michael Omwanhiaokph both of Saint Augustine’s Catholic Church , Benin city of a Toyota Highlander SUV with registration number AP-975-CU, telephone sets and cash .
“On 17th September , 2019 at about 0500hrs, one Edafe Moses ‘ M’ aged 30 years was arrested after a distress call was received from one Akinomiro Femi ‘M’ that hoodlums were terrorizing the occupants of his area . The victim was rescued and taken to UBTH, where he is currently recuperating. One locally made double barrel gun and seven live cartridges were recovered.
The arrested suspects included a fake hospital operator: “On 17th September, 2019, at about 1100hrs, one Oriakhi Okundaye ‘F’ aged 53 years, a native of Udo village in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State was arrested for operating an illegal hospital and engaging in unwholesome medical practices like abortion in Benin city. Syringes, B-Complex, Depo, Procaine and Penicillin were recovered from her.”
CP Danmallam Mohammed ascribed the harvest of criminals to the high intelligence of the command. He appealed to the general public to give police information that would lead to the arrest of hoodlums.
Most of the suspects confessed to the crimes when interviewed. A total of 94 cultists, 36 armed robbery suspects, 12 kidnap suspects were arrested while 12 kidnapped victims were rescued. Also recovered were 76 ammunitions and cartridges, 20 vehicles and five cell phones.
