ADDRESS BY CP MONDAY AGBONIKA, fdc COMMISSIONER OF POLICE EDO STATE COMMAND ON RECENT OPERATIONAL BREAKTHROUGHS CAPACITY BUILDING, SECURITY ENHANCEMENT AND THE UNVEILING OF THE VIOLENT CRIME RESPONSE UNIT (VCRU)
Distinguished Stakeholders,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Senior Police Officers,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is with a deep sense of responsibility and gratitude to God that I welcome you all to this press briefing where we present the scorecard of the Edo State Police Command from March 2026 till date.
Today is not just about figures, statistics or data. It is about the resilience, sacrifice, strategic planning and operational transformation currently ongoing within the Edo State Police Command, in our determination to rid Edo State of violent crimes and criminal elements.
From the very first day I assumed office as Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, I made a firm commitment that under my watch, the Command would be intelligence-driven, technologically compliant, operationally proactive and professionally responsive to emerging security threats across the State.
Gentlemen of the press, criminality in recent times has evolved beyond conventional policing methods. Kidnappers, cult groups, armed robbers and other violent offenders now operate in organized cells with defined structures and responsibilities. It therefore became necessary for the Command to evolve faster to match emerging trends in criminality.
I am pleased to inform the good people of Edo State that the introduction and deployment of drone technology, high-tech surveillance gadgets, digital tracking systems and intelligence-led policing strategies have significantly improved our operational effectiveness, especially in combating kidnapping and violent crimes across Edo Central and Edo North Senatorial Districts.
A clear example is the recent arrest of a notorious kidnapping syndicate responsible for terrorizing innocent residents within Uromi, Ewatu, Emu, Okwesan, Ugboha and the entire Esan South-East axis.
Following the kidnapping of one Mrs Ezighode Ebosele and her 14-year-old son, Wisdom Ebosele, at Udoni Quarters, Irrua on 1st May, 2026, the Command immediately deployed operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit alongside combat drones, tracking devices and other technological assets for a coordinated rescue operation.
Through sustained aerial surveillance, technical intelligence and lawful interception of communication used for ransom negotiation, operatives successfully rescued the victims unhurt and arrested the notorious kingpin, Yusuf Hassan a.k.a “Dogo Yellow” alongside nine other members of the syndicate.
Investigations revealed that this criminal network operated an organized criminal enterprise with dedicated informants, food suppliers, victim trackers, ransom negotiators and armed enforcers. Shockingly, the syndicate was also actively recruiting new members into their criminal operations.
The kingpin was eventually arrested in the premises of a known criminal hideout belonging to one of their collaborators at the outskirts of Ubiaja, a property which the Edo State Government has since demolished and confiscated in line with the established laws on kidnapping in the State.
In another development, operatives of the Edo State Police Command foiled an attempted kidnap incident on 8th May, 2026 at about 1710hrs along the Benin-Akure Road between Ozoguo and Obazuwa communities. The police operatives, who were on intensive crime prevention patrol and stop-and-search duty at Obazuwa, swiftly responded after hearing gunshots and sighting the suspected kidnappers.
An exchange of gunfire ensued as the operatives, alongside military personnel stationed at Obarenren, advanced toward the scene, forcing the hoodlums to flee into the nearby forest. During the operation, two victims, Mr Okarewagba Benth, 54 years, and his wife, Mrs Okarewagba Ruth, 50 years, both of Iyowa Community, were rescued unhurt.
Bush combing operations are currently ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, while the area has remained calm and under close security surveillance.
These operations send a strong message to criminals that there will be no hiding place for anyone involved in kidnapping, cultism or violent crimes in Edo State.
Gentlemen of the press, permit me to also express serious concern over the disturbing rise in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases across the State. Within the last two months alone, the Command has arrested over twenty-three suspects linked to rape, defilement and other SGBV-related offences.
This trend is painful, unacceptable and deeply concerning. Violence is never a solution to any disagreement or desire. Rather, it destroys lives, families and communities. The Edo State Police Command will continue to pursue offenders relentlessly and ensure justice for survivors.
Permit me to briefly highlight some of the Command’s achievements from March 2026 till date:
• Fifty-five (55) suspected kidnappers arrested
• Fifteen (15) suspected cultists arrested
• Eight (8) armed robbery suspects arrested
• Fifteen (15) murder suspects arrested
• Three (3) suspects arrested for unlawful possession of firearms
• Twenty-three (23) rape/defilement suspects arrested
• Fifty-eight (58) kidnapped victims successfully rescued
Recoveries made include:
• Two AK-47 rifles
• Six pump-action guns
• Seven locally-made firearms
• Thirteen cartridges and other calibre ammunition
These achievements reflect effective application of strategic policing, collaboration with sister security agencies, community safety partnership and the courage of our officers and men who continue to put their lives on the line daily for the safety of Edo people.
In line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, the Command has also intensified tactical and investigative trainings across all formations.
Currently, over four hundred and eighty constables have undergone intensive firearms handling, musketry and combat drills at Police Mobile Force Squadrons 5, 60 and 82 located across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.
We appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM whose reformative, accountable and intelligence – led policing approach has motivated enhanced capacity building for operatives. Selected officers have received specialized tactical training on the handling and operational deployment of the General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).
On the investigative front, Divisional Crime Officers and Investigating Police Officers have also undergone specialized training on Audio-Visual Statement Recording and modern investigative procedures to ensure professionalism, accountability and improved prosecution of criminal cases in court.
Gentlemen of the press, as part of our renewed operational strategy against violent crimes, the Edo State Police Command is today officially launching the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
The Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) is a newly established specialised unit of the Nigeria Police Force created to combat armed robbery, kidnapping, violent organised crimes, and related offences through strictly intelligence-driven operations. Unlike previous tactical units, the VCRU is designed to operate with professionalism, accountability, and full respect for human rights, in line with constitutional provisions, and the Nigeria Police Act 2020 as amended. The unit is not authorised to engage in arbitrary stop-and-search operations, profiling of citizens, or any form of misconduct. The unit is not a rebranding of SARS/SWAT. Instead, it is structured to build public trust through transparency, community engagement. To achieve this, its members have undergone mandatory human rights, marksmanship and investigation training. It is subject of civilian oversight, and regular accountability reporting, while ensuring the protection of lives and property across the federation. The members were selected through a rigorous and transparent process.
The Edo Unit will be headed by CSP Osagie Godspower Etinosa, a highly experienced, intelligent and operationally sound officer with an impressive track record in intelligence gathering, anti-kidnapping operations and tactical policing.
CSP Osagie was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 2010 and possesses outstanding academic and professional credentials including Masters Degrees in Peace and Conflict Resolution as well as Criminology and Security Studies.
He has attended several strategic and international security courses including Intellectual Property Rights for Belt and Road Countries in China, Strategic Leadership Development and Effective Security Management Course, trainings with the National Crime Agency (NCA), Advanced Detective Course at the Police Staff College Jos among several others.
He has served in critical operational and intelligence positions including the Force Intelligence Department Abuja, Unit Commander 51 PMF Oghara and Coordinator FID/IRT Benin Annex.
His operational experience, investigative competence and dedication to duty make him eminently qualified to lead the new Violent Crime Response Unit.
Let me assure the good people of Edo State that this Command remains fully committed to protecting lives and property. We will continue to adapt, improve and deploy every lawful resource available to confront criminality and ensure that Edo State remains unsafe for criminals and safe for law-abiding citizens.
On behalf of the officers, men and women of the Edo State Police Command, I sincerely appreciate the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo for his unwavering support. Sister security agencies, community leaders, the media and all well-meaning residents are also cherished for their continuous support and cooperation.
Together, we shall continue to win the fight against crime.
Thank you and God bless Edo State.
Comments
Post a Comment