Another scare in Edo: Armed travellers arrested with guns, cutlasses

In another troubling incident, operatives of the Edo State Security Network (ESN) have arrested four armed travellers in Benin City, Edo State, barely a month after a similar interception in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area.

The suspects—identified as Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu—were reportedly travelling from Doguwa in Kano State to Uvbe Community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area when they were intercepted at Ikpoba Hill, a busy district in Benin City.

Weapons allegedly found in their possession included three dane guns, six empty cartridges, three partially used cartridges, four cutlasses, and two daggers, according to the Edo State Police Command.

Confirming the incident, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, said the suspects were immediately transferred to the Ikpoba Hill Police Station for further investigation.

“The command wishes to inform the general public that four (4) suspects—Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu—intercepted by a member of the Edo Security Network with three (3) dane guns, six (6) empty cartridges, three (3) half-filled cartridges, four (4) cutlasses and two (2) daggers, were swiftly taken over by officers from the Ikpoba Hill Police Station,” he said.

Yamu also dismissed reports circulating on social media that the suspects were herdsmen, clarifying that preliminary investigations had identified them as hunters.

“The Edo Command is aware of a misinformation on the social media that four (4) herdsmen armed with guns were arrested at Americanus Hotel on Osemwenkhae Street after Big Joe Motors, Ramat Park, Oregbeni Quarters and handed over to the Police,” he said.

Preliminary investigation reveals that they are hunters, not herdsmen. They were from Doguwa in Kano State heading to Uvbe Community in Orhionmwon LGA of Edo State. Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing.”

The Police Command urged members of the public to avoid spreading unverified reports that could incite fear and tension within communities.