Alltimepost.com Sincerity of Purpose
BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON & IDAHOSA MUSA
Edo State Police Command has disclosed that cultism and kidnapping topped the state’s crime profile in 2025, with a total of 821 suspects arrested for various offences during the year.The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Monday Agbonika, made this known while addressing journalists in Benin City on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Giving a breakdown of arrests recorded by the command within the period under review, the police boss said 239 suspects were arrested for cultism, 171 for kidnapping, 117 for murder, 62 for rape and other sexual offences, 39 for armed robbery, and 36 for unlawful possession of firearms, while 157 suspects were arrested for other offences.
Although the commissioner was silent on the number of prosecution, and convictions secured and the number of operatives who may have lost their lives during the year, he noted that the command successfully rescued 377 kidnapped victims.
CP Agbonika explained that the operation combined ground forces with aerial surveillance and was executed through strong inter-agency collaboration involving the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade, the Nigerian Air Force 107 Air Maritime Group, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, forest guards, local vigilantes and hunters.
He assured that the clearance exercise would continue beyond the festive period.
While wishing residents a peaceful and prosperous Christmas and New Year, the police boss urged the public to remain vigilant, law-abiding and cooperative with security agencies, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility.
He also issued a stern warning over reports of missing corpses from some private mortuaries in the state, describing such acts as criminal, inhuman and a gross violation of the dignity of the deceased and the emotions of bereaved families.
CP Agbonika vowed that perpetrators would be brought to justice and advised families to patronise government-owned mortuaries where proper oversight is assured.
The Commissioner reaffirmed that the Command’s 24-hour emergency lines remain active and urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities as the state enters the festive season.
