18 Armed Men Arrested Along Benin-Abuja Highway
By Osehobo Ofure Benin-City
At least 18 armed men have been arrested by operatives of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) and handed over to the police.
The suspects were found with weapons, ammunition, and charms.
The arrest took place during a bush combing exercise along the Benin-Abuja Road near a camp called Eguedion.
The Corps recovered 38 locally made guns, pellets, and several charms.
ESSC Commandant, Mr. Friday Ibadin, a retired Commissioner of Police, confirmed the arrest in a statement.
He revealed that only one of the suspects is from Edo State.
“Today, February 14, 2025, our men were on patrol along the Benin-Auchi Road near Eguedion Camp, close to a military checkpoint. Two individuals holding guns were spotted. When they saw our team, they fled. They were pursued to a camp where 18 people were arrested,” he said.
According to Ibadin, 17 of the suspects are non-indigenes, while one is from Agbede. “We recovered 38 fully loaded locally made guns and charms. Our men will continue to search the forests and sensitize locals to keep Edo safe.”
While handing the suspects over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Agbede Police Station, Ibadin called for stronger collaboration between security agencies to tackle crime in the state.
This arrest comes just days after Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, directed security agencies to flush out criminals and make Edo’s forests safe for farmers and residents.
Ibadin reassured Edo citizens of the government’s commitment to security.
He vowed that the ESSC would intensify efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
