By Jethro Ibileke
Statistics emanating from the Edo Police Command indicate that the people of the state were under heavy, persistent attacks from kidnappers and cult gangs throughout the outgoing year 2022.
Security agencies in conjunction with other security apparatus in the state however recorded successes in the the fight against crime and criminality, resulting in the rescue of 68 kidnap victims.
A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, released to journalists on Friday, showed that a no fewer than 102 kidnapping suspects were arrested between January and December, 2022.
A total of 193 suspected cultists, 65 armed robbery, 64 murder suspects were arrested during the period under review.
Other suspects arrested include 74 persons for unlawful possession of firearm, 16 suspects for rape/defilement, two human ritual suspects, two arso suspects and one suspected IPOB/ESN member.
According to the statement, other successes recorded a total of 58 armed robbers were neutralized during the period.
A total of 81 firearms and riffles, ranging from AK-47, Berreta, Pump Action Guns, locally made guns were recovered, even as 181 live ammunitions were recovered.
Five stolen vehicles and two tricycles were also recovered. (NAN)
