By Usman Aliyu
Benin, Dec. 22, 2025 (NAN)
The Edo State Police Command has released its year-end security report, revealing significant operational successes against violent crime. Commissioner of Police Mr. Monday Agbonika announced that from January to December 2025, the command arrested 821 suspects and successfully rescued 377 kidnap victims. These figures highlight a concerted, year-long effort to combat the state’s security challenges, particularly kidnapping, which has plagued several Nigerian highways and rural communities.
Agbonika made the disclosure while outlining comprehensive security measures for the Christmas and New Year festivities. He stated that beyond kidnappings, the command recorded “significant breakthroughs” against a spectrum of violent crimes, including armed robbery, murder, rape, cultism, and the illegal possession of firearms. Substantial recoveries of arms, ammunition, and stolen vehicles were also made during this period.
A cornerstone of the recent offensive was a major “forest clearance operation” in Edo North Senatorial District. Agbonika, who personally led the operation from December 14 to 20, described it as a critical move to “deny criminal elements access to ungoverned spaces.” These forested areas have often served as hideouts and camps for kidnappers and armed gangs. The operation was conducted with the approval of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who authorized the deployment of police helicopters and drones—a tactic signifying a shift towards technology-aided policing. The state governor, Mr. Monday Okpebholo, provided additional logistical support.
“The operation featured coordinated deployment of ground troops and aerial assets to ensure comprehensive coverage, and it will be sustained,” Agbonika asserted. This multi-layered approach is designed to overcome the limitations of ground-only patrols in difficult terrain.
The clearance exercise exemplified inter-agency collaboration, involving the Nigerian Army’s 4 Brigade, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), state forest guards, vigilantes, and local hunters. This model leverages the unique strengths of each agency: military firepower and aerial surveillance, combined with the local knowledge of hunters and vigilantes, creates a more formidable front against criminals.
In a stark and unusual warning, the Commissioner also addressed disturbing reports of corpses disappearing from private mortuaries in the state. He described such acts as “criminal, inhuman and a gross violation of the sensitivity of the bereaved.” He advised families to patronize government-owned mortuaries where, he claimed, oversight and accountability are better guaranteed. This advisory points to potential regulatory gaps or criminal exploitation within the private mortuary sector.
For the festive season, Agbonika said security would be anchored on “proactive and intelligence-driven policing,” including intensified patrols, stop-and-search operations, strategic deployments, and sustained community engagement. He urged residents to remain vigilant and law-abiding, emphasizing that public cooperation is critical to sustaining security gains. The command’s emergency lines remain active 24/7.
“As we celebrate Christmas and prepare for the New Year, I wish the good people of Edo State a peaceful, safe and prosperous festive period,” Agbonika concluded, reaffirming the command’s commitment to maintaining peace.
The reported statistics and detailed operation provide a tangible, if snapshot, view of the security landscape in Edo State. The high number of rescues suggests active kidnapping rings were disrupted, while the large number of arrests will test the judicial system’s capacity for effective prosecution. The sustained, collaborative, and tech-enhanced strategy outlined by the CP will be closely watched as a potential blueprint for tackling similar security challenges in other regions.
(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
AUO/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
