The command’s spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued in Benin on Saturday.

According to Ikoedem, the rescue followed a report of a kidnapping incident at Egbojo Ikabigbo community in Jattu, Etsako West local government area of the state.

She said the report prompted an immediate deployment of the Divisional Police Officer in the area and his team, working alongside vigilantes and hunters.

She explained that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, subsequently activated the Eagle Combat Drone Unit for its first-ever rescue mission.

“In the early hours of January 9, 2026, at about 4:25 a.m. the kidnappers’ camp was successfully located through real-time aerial intelligence provided by the drone unit.

“Ground troops stormed the camp, forcing the kidnappers to flee and abandon two locally fabricated AK-49 rifles.

“The victims – one adult male, three adult females, and five children were rescued unhurt,” she said.

The command’s spokesperson described the operation as a milestone that underscored the growing role of technology in modern policing in Edo.

Beyond the rescue, she disclosed that the command also recorded multiple arrests and recoveries in a series of coordinated security operations across the state.

According to her, a black Toyota Yaris, reportedly snatched at gunpoint along Ugbowo, Benin City, was recovered on Friday along Otorekpen Street, Siloko Road.

She added that a suspected armed robbery syndicate member, Oluwashegun Ajayi, was also arrested.

According to the spokesperson, the vehicle had since been returned to its owner.

Ikoedem said operatives of the Eagle Raiders Squad also arrested seven members of an armed robbery gang linked to the killing of a Point-of-Sale, PoS, operator on Muritala Muhammed Way, off Sapele Road, Benin City.

“The suspects confessed to being members of the Supreme Eiye Confraternity cult.

“One locally made revolver, a single-barrel pistol, and a white mini-bus used for the operation were recovered,” she said.

She said the command also recovered a stolen Lexus 330 SUV taken during a home invasion on December 25, 2025.

Ikoedem said the vehicle was retrieved through a joint operation between Ugbowo and Okhoro divisions, leading to the arrest of a suspect, Victor John, who confessed to the crime.

Additionally, she said operatives of the Loveworld Division arrested a suspected armed robber, David Okoro, during a response to a distress call at Ogheghe Community, off Sapele Road Bypass.

She explained that a single-barrel gun and cartridges were recovered, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

On child trafficking, the police spokesperson disclosed that a syndicate was dismantled in Uromi following intelligence from a concerned citizen.

“A newborn baby boy was safely rescued, while N1.4 million, being proceeds of the illegal transaction, was recovered.

“The suspects will be charged to court,” she said.

The Police PRO described the operations as a major boost to the fight against crime and a demonstration of the command’s evolving operational capacity.

Ikoedem said CP Agbonika had assured residents of the state that the command would sustain its aggressive approach against criminal elements.

“The Commissioner of Police reiterates the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property in Edo.

“The CP urges members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid security operations,” she said.

Source: NAN

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The multiple explosions occurred in three different areas of Auchi at about 6:30 p.m.

It was observed that the first blast occurred along Igbei Road, the second at the Igbo Shade area near an AP filling station, while the third explosion occurred along the Auchi–Okene Road, close to Winners Junction.

Properties worth millions of naira were reportedly destroyed, including buildings and shops, across the three affected areas.

As at the time of filing the report, the cause of the explosions was unknown, and the number of deaths or casualties could not be ascertained.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the explosions occurred almost simultaneously in different parts of Auchi.

The eye witness added that the blasts appeared to have been coordinated.

The eyewitness described the incident as allegedly planned attack on the Auchi community and stressed the need for a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in Edo, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the explosions.

Ikoedem said the incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. following the fall of a fuel tanker along the road.

She explained that spilled fuel seeped into underground tunnels, which later ignited and caused three explosions in different parts of the Auchi community.

According to her, officers from the Auchi Divisional Police Headquarters and the Area Command were mobilised to the affected areas and successfully cordoned them off to prevent loss of lives.

Source: NAN

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The post Multiple explosions hit Auchi, police speak appeared first on Frontpageng.

This incident, it was learnt triggered a violent reaction from relatives of the deceased.

The situation reportedly escalated when angry family members and friends accused a mortuary attendant of harvesting organs from the body.

Relatives of the deceased were said to have raised alarm when they arrived at the mortuary on Friday to collect the body for burial and allegedly discovered that some vital organs were missing.

An eyewitness, Osaro Ivie, described the scene as chaotic, saying tempers flared after family members accused the attendant of engaging in ritual practices.

“The relatives claimed that the chest cavity of the deceased had been emptied and stuffed with nylon,” Ivie said.

He said the relatives threatened to lynch the attendant and set the facility ablaze before police operatives intervened to restore calm.

Confirming the incident on Sunday, ASP Eno Ikoedem, Public Relations Officer of the police command in Edo, said the command received a distress call that a mob was on the verge of attacking a suspect at the mortuary.

“The Command received a distress call that someone at Akugbe Mortuary was about to be lynched, and the Divisional Police Officer, Ugbekun Division, was immediately mobilised to rescue a mortuary attendant alleged to have harvested organs of a corpse,” Ikoedem said.

Ikoedem explained that the suspect was rescued from the crowd and subsequently to custody.

She added that he was currently being detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, where investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the allegation.

Ikoedem assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted, urging residents to remain calm and allow due process to take its course.

Source: NAN

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The post Mortuary attendant in police net over alleged organ harvesting appeared first on Frontpageng.