PRESS BRIEFING BY CP PATRICK DAAOR, mnips,
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, EDO STATE COMMAND
Good Afternoon, gentlemen of the press, distinguished members of the media, and, the good people of Edo State.
I welcome you to this press briefing at a very important moment in our collective efforts to strengthen security, protect lives and property, and make Edo State increasingly safe for residents, visitors and businesses.
Let me state clearly from the outset that the security and safety of Edo people remain the central priority of this Command. We are also strengthening our operational posture by turning Edo State to a highly Mobile Command. The objective is simple: to ensure that criminals do not find Edo State a comfortable operating environment.
We are equally deepening inter-command and inter-state collaboration.
Our approach is one of prevention, swift intervention, intelligence gathering, effective investigation and prosecution, while maintaining respect for the rights of all citizens.
In the meantime, I would like to briefly enumerate some of the major breakthroughs recorded by the Command.
1. ARREST OF SUSPECT FOR DEFILING 13YRS OLD CHILD
On 5 August 2026, A 52-year-old suspect, Daniel Erumudonmoh Okhuilegbe, was arrested over an allegation involving a 13-year-old girl. The complainant alleged that the suspect was engaged as a home lesson teacher but allegedly abused the trust placed in him and sexually assaulted the child.
Following conclusion of investigation, the suspect was charged before the Benin High Court on 14 August 2026 and subsequently remanded at OkoCorrectional Centre, Benin.
2. ALLEGED DEFILEMENT OF 15YEARS OLD IN IYAHMO
On 6 August 2026, a case involving the alleged rape/defilement of a 15-year-old girl by her 42-year-old father was reported.
Following discrete investigation upon transfer to the state headquarters, the suspect was charged to court on 14 August 2026 and remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre, pending further proceedings.
3. ALLEGED DEFILEMENT OF 11YEARS OLD IN OKHORO
On 10 August 2026, a defilement case was transferred from Okhoro Police Station to the Gender and Family Support Unit, State CID, Benin.
A 29-year-old suspect, Samson Amachie, was arrested over an allegation involving an 11-year-old girl. The complainant alleged that the suspect lured the child to an uncompleted building behind his shop and allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with her.
Following investigation, the suspect was arraigned before the Benin High Court and remanded at OkoCorrectional Centre.
4. ALLEGED DEFILEMENT OF A 14YEAR OLD IN OKPELLA
On 12 August 2026, a report was received concerning the alleged defilement of a 14-year-old girl. Preliminary investigation revealed that a 26-year-old man, Otaru Jonathan, took the child on a motorcycle to an uncompleted building at Afokpella, where he allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with her and subsequently gave her ₦2,000.
The survivor was taken to the Hospital for medical evaluation and attention. The suspect was arrested and remains in custody. Preliminary investigation is ongoing, after which the suspect will be arraigned in court.
5. RECOVERY OF ROBBED LEXUS 350
On 14 August 2026, at about 0115hrs, six armed hoodlums invaded a compound at Jesus Christ Street, Iduowinna Community, and robbed the residents and neighbouring apartments of phones, laptops, wristwatches, perfumes and human hair. A Lexus 350 saloon car, registration number BWR 988 DH, belonging to one of the victims, was also taken away.
The scene was immediately visited, all divisions were alerted for possible recovery of the vehicle, and patrols were intensified within the community. In a major breakthrough, at about 0900hrs the same day, the stolen Lexus 350 was recovered at Oba Market.
Further investigation is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects responsible for the robbery and recovering the remaining stolen items.
6. ALLEGED DEFILEMENT OF 8YEARS OLD IN NEW ETETE
On 14 August 2026, a report was received concerning the alleged defilement of an 8-year-old girl by 21 year old Innocent Emmanuel.
The complaint alleged that the suspect sexually assaulted the child while her parents were away from home and that the child had previously disclosed repeated sexual harassment by the same suspect.
The suspect has been arrested and detained, while the victim was taken to Viviana Medical Center for medical examination. Preliminary investigation is ongoing.
7. RECOVERY OF TWO SUSPECTED STOLEN TOYOTA HIGHLANDER SUVs On 15 August 2026, at about 1300hrs, a surveillance team attached to Okhoro Division while on patrol intercepted two Toyota Highlander Jeeps suspected to have been stolen or abandoned at Five Junction, off Iheya–Uselu Lagos Road, Benin City.
One of the vehicles is confirmed to have been stolen from someone.
During a search, a toy gun was recovered from one of the vehicles. Investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and identify those responsible.
8. RECOVERY OF THREE LOCALLY MADE BERETTA PISTOLS AND ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTIST
On 5 August 2026, a distress report was received from Flight Transport Services, Akpakpava, Benin City, after an unknown man abandoned a sack he had presented for waybill to Benue State.
Upon searching the abandoned sack, officers discovered unripe plantains concealing three locally made Beretta pistols.
Through technical intelligence and sustained investigation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Andrew Friday, aged 27, on 7 August 2026 at Akpakpava.
The suspect confessed to sending the sack and admitted membership of the Aye Secret Cult Confraternity. He further stated that the firearms had been given to him by one Bance, surname unknown, from Iyanomo Community, allegedly for repairs in Benue State and subsequent use in an ongoing cult rivalry.
Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other suspects connected with the matter.
9. ARREST OF FOUR SUSPECTED CULT MEMBERS AND RECOVERY OF FIREARMS
In another major breakthrough, operatives of the Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with personnel attached to the Government House Task Force, conducted an operation at EgbaenCommunity, off Ekenhuan Road, Benin City.
Four suspects: Nuka Joseph, aged 27; Osatohamwen Ogor, 30; John Osewengie, 30; and Osezee Osayi, 29 were arrested.
The operation led to the recovery of four locally fabricated pistols, one locally made Beretta pistol and one cut-to-size double-barrel gun. The suspects allegedly confessed to membership of the Aiye Confraternity Cult.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
Residents are encouraged to out for one another, and pay attention to their neighbours, friends, colleagues and loved ones.
Check in on people. Ask questions. Listen without judgment.
The Nigeria Police Force remain accountable to the people it serves, any member of the public who has a genuine complaint against a police officer is encouraged to contact the Police Complaint Response Unit and provide sufficient details to enable prompt and impartial investigation.
We will not shield misconduct, but we will also ensure that allegations are properly investigated and that no officer is condemned without due process.
10. ARREST OF SUSPECT OVER ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF 12-YEAR-OLD APPRENTICE
On 13 August 2026, at about 1620hrs, the command received a report of unnatural offense where a 12-year-old male apprentice was allegedly sexually assaulted by one Orji Okoro at the suspect’s residence on 12th August, 2020. The suspect have been arrested and investigation is currently ongoing.
11. RECOVERY OF 58 ROUNDS OF AK-47 AMMUNITION, ADDITIONAL MAGAZINE FROM KIDNAPPING/ARMED ROBBERY SYNDICATE
It would be recalled that on 29 June 2026, at about 1730hrs, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Edo State Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspected members of a notorious kidnapping/armed robbery syndicate, Mohammed Hamisu, 22, and SaiduBebe, 23, at Okada, Ovia North East LGA. The suspects, during profiling, led operatives to a forest bordering Abudu in Edo State and Obiaruku in Delta State, where three AK-pattern rifles and two magazines were recovered at different locations. On 12 August 2026, the suspects again led operatives to the same forest, resulting in the recovery of 58 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition and an additional magazine. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and recover more operational weapons.
12. ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTS, RECOVERY OF TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT
On 10 August 2026, at about 1139hrs, the Command received a report of vandalism at the premises of Africa Independent Television (AIT) along Benin–Idogbo Road, Ikhueniro Community. Two suspects, Martins Donatus, 26, and Mohammed Abubakar, 28, have been arrested in possession of television master control room transmission equipment valued at approximately ₦150 million. The exhibits have been recovered, while the suspects are cooperating with the police to extend the investigation and apprehend other members of the syndicate.
13. RESCUE OF KIDNAP VICTIM/ARREST OF SUSPECT
On 5th day of August, 2026 base on a distress call one Elizabeth William 'F' of Uwelu quarters, Benin City, was rescued alive by operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Ogheghe Community off Benin / Auchi road by Egba Benin City. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a member of dreaded Aiye secret cult and he met the victim through an online Tiktok platform and subsequently commenced communication.
The suspect later invited her to his residence at Ogheghe Community off Benin / Auchi road by Egba under the guise of romantic date. However,the lady was held captive and her family contacted for ransom. The sum of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000:00) was paid as ransome for her release.
CONCLUSION;
Ladies and gentlemen, the achievements outlined today are only part of the ongoing work of the Edo State Police Command.
We are intensifying intelligence-led policing, strengthening highly mobile patrols and rapid response, expanding collaboration with sister security agencies and neighbouring commands, and pursuing criminals wherever they operate.
But the police cannot do this alone.
I therefore appeal to the good people of Edo State to continue providing timely and credible information to the police. Your information can prevent a kidnapping, stop an armed robbery, expose a cult group or save a life.
To the criminals and criminal groups intending tooperate in Edo State, let me be unequivocal: there are no safe haven for you.
To the law-abiding people of Edo State, I assure you of our commitment to your safety. We will continue to serve with professionalism, courage, discipline and respect for the rule of law.
Together, with the cooperation of the people, the media, traditional institutions, community leaders and other stakeholders, we will make Edo State safer and more secure
Thank you for your attention.
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