Edo CP, Agbonika Leads Daring Police Raids to Rescue 37 Kidnap Victims in Just One Month

From Moshood Karim

 

The Edo State Police Command, under the stewardship of the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, has recorded significant achievements in just thirty days of assumption of office. The Command has successfully rescued thirty-seven kidnapped victims in a series of daring operations aided by technical intelligence, alongside major recoveries of arms, ammunition and stolen properties.

 Speaking during a press conference held on Wednesday in Benin City, CP Agbonika, who assumed office on 8 April 2025 as the 50th Commissioner of Police in Edo State, delivered what he described as his first "scorecard" after one month in charge. He credited the success to collaborative, intelligence-driven strategies, relentless fieldwork by officers and men of the command, and support from local communities and stakeholders.

 

“Barely two days after I assumed duty, I embarked on a fact-finding mission across the North and Central Senatorial Districts of Edo State, visiting known crime flashpoints, particularly areas plagued by kidnapping and cultism,” CP Agbonika said.

“We immediately began mapping out proactive and inclusive strategies involving both state and non-state actors, and we are already seeing significant results.”

According to the CP Agbonika, these efforts have led to the rescue of thirty-seven kidnapped persons, the arrest of numerous suspects, and the recovery of a wide range of firearms and stolen items.

 

Summarising the achievements of the past month, CP Agbonika presented the following breakdown:

Recovered Firearms: Two AK-47 rifles, one LAR Mark rifle, three English pistols, one Beretta pistol, four single-barrel guns, one automatic pump-action shotgun, eight locally made pistols, and one locally made shotgun.

Ammunition: 130 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 110 rounds of other ammunition, and 135 live cartridges.

Other Recoveries: Four stolen/robbed vehicles including a Mercedes Benz GLK 300, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander, and a Hijet minibus; two snatched motorcycles; one dagger; one trigger part; one iPhone 16 Plus; and ₦150,000 in cash.

Suspects Arrested: 95 suspected cultists, 12 suspected kidnappers, and 5 suspected armed robbers.

 

“These arrests and recoveries were the result of high-risk, intelligence-led operations,” the Commissioner stated.

 

He continued: “We have also been deliberate in avoiding harm to kidnapped victims during rescue efforts, especially in situations where kidnappers use their captives as human shields.”

 

CP Agbonika acknowledged that the journey has not been without obstacles. He identified the illegal possession of arms by unauthorised persons, particularly those operating under the guise of vigilante groups, as a major concern. “We have intensified efforts in mopping up illegal firearms, with over 25 recovered in recent operations,” he noted.

 

He also explained the complexities involved in confronting kidnappers hiding in dense forest areas, where any direct assault could jeopardise the lives of hostages. However, the Commissioner assured that advanced tracking technologies are now being deployed to address these situations more safely and effectively.

 

Looking ahead, CP Agbonika emphasised the importance of continued community collaboration and high-visibility policing. He pledged to sustain intelligence-led raids, bush combing operations and constant engagement with local leaders to pre-empt criminal activities before they escalate.

 

While most of the cases have already been charged to court, investigations into others are ongoing, he confirmed.

 

The Commissioner expressed his gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun and the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for their guidance and support. He also thanked law-abiding residents of the State for providing actionable intelligence and urged them to continue partnering with the police in the shared mission of securing Edo State.

 

“Though it is not yet uhuru,” he said, using the Nigerian term for ‘complete freedom’, “we are certainly on the right path. We will continue to adapt and improve our strategies to rid the State of criminal elements.”

 

As CP Monday Agbonika marks his first thirty days in office, his proactive approach and results-oriented leadership offer a new dawn for policing in Edo State, one anchored on intelligence, inclusivity, and unrelenting commitment to public safety.