Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has reiterated his resolve to end issues of security challenges peculiar to the state such as cultism and kidnapping.
He asserted that since he assumed office on April 8th, 2025(30 days ago) in the state Police Commmand as the 50th occupant of the office, he has taken proactive measures to put a stop to these acts of criminalities as he was instructed by DIG Hashimu Argungu(rtd), the Chairman Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police(IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.
He affirmed that since then he has hit the ground running as “it was very clear that community inclusivity, and collaboration with both state and non-state actors was the way to go.”
Going further, he disclosed that “barely two days of my assumption of duty, I hit the ground running by visiting the North and Central Senatorial Zones of the State to see for myself all the identified flash points with prevalence of kidnapping and other heinous crimes, and immediately engaged critical stakeholders to map out proactive strategies to curb these challenges in the bud.
“These strategies which are being reviewed from time to time have yielded considerable results even though it is not yet uhuru. I want to share with you the account of my stewardship in the past thirty (30) days.
“Our collaborative and proactive strategies have led to the rescue of thirty-seven (37) kidnapped victims in daring operations which involved technical intelligence. The officers and men have worked tirelessly over these days, leading to the recovery of twenty-five (25) firearms including two (2) AK 47 rifles, 130rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 135 live cartridges, as well as the recovery of four (4) stolen/robbed vehicles.”
Giving a breakdown of the number of suspects that have been arrested by the policehe disclosed that they include ninety-five(95) suspected cultists; twelve suspected kidnappers and five suspected armed robbers. While 37 kidnapped victims were rescued.
“We shall sustain engagement with communities, bush combing operations across area commands and divisions, intelligence-led raids of flashpoints and high visibility policing amongst many other strategies with a view to preventing crimes and maintain law and order in the state,” he submitted.
