The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old man, Nicholas Nusa, over the alleged abduction and sexual abuse of five young girls in the Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.
The command also said it arrested 10 suspects for various violent crimes within the past week, killed one suspected kidnapper and recovered an AK-47 rifle during separate operations across the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor.
According to the command, Nusa was arrested after the police received information on September 12 concerning the alleged abduction of five girls around the Ibillo/Imoga axis of Akoko-Edo.
The police said preliminary investigation indicated that the children had allegedly been sexually abused, adding that one of the victims became pregnant and went into early labour.
The command further stated that the victim lost the baby following surgery, while the five children had since been reunited with their families.
The police said the suspect would be prosecuted after the completion of the investigation.
In another operation, personnel of the 195 Battalion, Agenebode, arrested a 32-year-old man, Mohammed Manfred Abdulramah, along the Auchi-Okene Expressway on September 16 for allegedly impersonating a military personnel.
The suspect, who was travelling from Warri, Delta State, to Okene, Kogi State, was reportedly found wearing military camouflage trousers and a vest. Police investigation allegedly revealed that he was not a member of the military and had stolen the uniform from a naval officer based in Niger State.
The command also reported the arrest of Sunday Irabor at a hotel near Oluku Market following intelligence received by operatives. Three mobile phones, a Samsung tablet, a wristwatch and cash in naira and dollars were reportedly recovered from him.
Police said investigations by the Violent Crime Response Unit indicated that Irabor was allegedly involved in several criminal activities in the state and had made confessional statements.
Meanwhile, the command said it recovered a Toyota Camry allegedly stolen from its owner after arresting the complainant’s driver, Isiaka Suleiman, in Warri, Delta State.
The police said the vehicle, with registration number BEN 572 BT, was recovered following tracking and investigation into the reported theft.
The Commissioner of Police said the operations reflected the command’s continued efforts to tackle kidnapping, violent crimes, sexual offences and other criminal activities through intelligence-led policing.
Daaor urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information that could assist in identifying and apprehending criminals, assuring the public that the command would continue to deploy available resources to protect lives and property.
