Edo police arrest 5 officers, 5 others over abduction, extortion

The Edo State Police Command has arrested 10 suspects, including serving and dismissed officers, over allegations of harassment, abduction, and extortion in Benin City, the state capital.

The Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this via a statement issued on Monday, April 13, 2026.

Ikoedem said the arrests followed multiple complaints from residents who accused individuals posing as police officers of unlawfully stopping citizens and extorting money from them.

Ikoedem said the suspects allegedly operated along the Teboga axis off Aduwawa, where they intercepted unsuspecting victims, drove them around parts of Benin City, and forced them to withdraw money through Point of Sale (POS) operators under duress.

She disclosed that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, has ordered an investigation after the allegations surfaced, leading to the dismantling of the criminal network through intelligence-driven operations.

She listed those arrested to include Goodluck Jaja, identified as a POS operator; ASP Bonny Paul Onajite; Inspectors Ehubarieme Wisdom and Arebame God’s Power; Corporals Mordi Philip and Okon Elvis; dismissed corporal Destiny Emmanuel; and two mini-bus drivers, Samuel Nicholas and Etim Bright.

Ikoedem noted that preliminary findings revealed that the suspects formed an organised syndicate that used police uniforms and equipment to deceive victims and carry out criminal activities, thereby tarnishing the image of the Nigeria Police Force.

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Ikoedem added: “Those that are serving personnel are currently undergoing internal disciplinary procedures, including orderly room trials. Upon conclusion of these processes and the ongoing investigation, they will be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction to face the full weight of the law.

“The Command hereby calls on all victims who may have encountered or fallen prey to this organised criminal gang to come forward and assist the Police with useful information that will aid further investigation and prosecution.

“Furthermore, the Edo State Police Command uses this medium to strongly warn all POS operators and merchants to be wary of any individual, including persons in police uniform, who attempt to use their facilities for unlawful transactions or extortion. Any POS operator found to be complicit in such illegal activities will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

The police spokesperson reaffirmed the command’s commitment to restoring public confidence in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, assuring residents that no individual would be shielded from justice regardless of status.