By Simeon OSAJIE
Officers of the Edo State Police Command has arrested a suspect and recovered 36 rounds of live cartridges concealed in a bag during a routine stop-and-search operation.
According to a statement released on Thursday by the command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, the arrest followed an operation carried out by officers attached to Ikpoba Hill Area Command at Guobadia Junction along the Benin–Auchi Road.
The statement added that the officers intercepted a mini bus conveying seven passengers travelling from Benin–Auchi Bypass to Ring Road in Benin City when the incident occurred.
“The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational success with the recovery of 36 rounds of live cartridges and the arrest of a suspect during a routine stop-and-search operation in Benin City,” statement said.
Providing details of how the operation unfolded, the police stated, “On 23rd May, 2026, at about 13:00hrs, officers attached to Ikpoba Hill Area Command, while on stop-and-search duty at Guobadia Junction along the Benin–Auchi Road, intercepted a mini bus conveying seven passengers from Benin–Auchi Bypass to Ring Road, Benin City.”
The command explained that three passengers attempted to flee during the operation but officers pursued them, saying, “During the operation, three male passengers suddenly abandoned their belongings and attempted to flee the scene. The officers swiftly gave chase and successfully apprehended one of the fleeing suspects identified as Richard Gabriel, 36 years old, from Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.”