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The Edo State Police Command has vowed to rescue the police officer kidnapped alongside his daughter on February 8 unhurt.

The Command also assured that two other victims abducted in Makeke in Akoko Edo Local Government Area of the state on the same day would also be rescued.

The state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, who stated this after briefing journalists at the State Command in Benin, however, said the rescue efforts cannot be made public.

He said, “Rescue efforts are ongoing and we will not be able to tell you the details but like in other cases, technology has been deployed to secure his release and that of his daughter.

“Those that were also kidnapped in Makeke will also be rescued.”

He, therefore, called on the public to report any unmanned checkpoint, stating that officers who are supposed to be there would be dealt with.

Speaking on some of the results the Command’s effort has yielded from January in the fight against crime, the CP said that 13 suspected murder suspects, 14 suspected armed robbers, 15 suspected cultists and 87 suspected kidnappers have been apprehended and were in custody.

He stated 30 kidnapped victims were also rescued unhurt, noting the command recovered six stolen vehicles, three stolen motorcycles, and 39 stolen phones.

He added, “We have also dealt a major blow to the instruments of violence. A total cache of arms and ammunition has been recovered,

“We acknowledge that each weapon recovered is a life potentially saved. Each suspect arrested is a criminal network disrupted.

“I must profoundly acknowledge the support of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun for approving the deployment of police helicopter, other tactical intelligence support and guidance.

“Also, I commend Governor Monday Okpebholo the Executive Governor of Edo State, whose magnanimous donation of a squadron of drones and other logistic support has significantly enhanced our operational capacity.

“Let me be clear that Edo State is totally out of bounds to criminals.
No forest will be too thick to overcome, no hideout too remote and no network too fortified to break.

“As we approach the Valentine season, a period dedicated to love, unity, and togetherness, I urge all residents to celebrate responsibly. Let this season of love be one of peace, not recklessness. While you celebrate with your families and loved ones, remain security conscious. “

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Edo State High Court has ordered the remand of one Osaze Adùn, popularly known as ”Kapuepue” for 14 days over alleged assault, harassment and brutalisation of Dr Don Pedro Obaseki.

The remand order by Justice R. A. Ogbevoen followed an ex-parte motion filed by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Adun is to be remanded in prison for 14 days pending advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The case sought the remand of Adun in the Correctional Centre as the court awaits DPP advice.

Counsel to the defendant, Olayiwola Afolabi (SAN), however, argued that the offence is a bailable one, adding that the bail request is in line with fundamental human rights of every individual.

Afolabi, therefore, pleaded with the court to use its discretional power to grant Adun bail.

In a short ruling, Justice Ogbevoen agreed with the defence counsel and admitted the defendant to a bail to the tune of ₦5 million in like sum with a surety who is resident within the court jurisdiction.

The judge further ruled that the surety must be a civil servant of grade level 12 and above.

The judge also ordered the defendant to appear in court every last Friday pending the advice of the DPP.

Recall that Dr. Obaseki was said to have been accosted on Sunday 28 December, 2025, morning at the popular Uwa Primary School football field in Benin while playing football.

The former Managing Director of DAAR Communications, was allegedly beaten, intimidated and forcefully taken away in what could bedescribed as a commando-style operation, a development that sparked widespread outrage and strong public condemnation.

In a video that went viral, the thugs brutalised the victim, stripped him naked before marching him to the palace of the Oba of Benin.

It would be also recalled that Counsel to Dr Obaseki, Femi Falana, SAN, recently informed the public that the secret police had taken over the case.

According to the human rights activist, the issue escalated by his chambers, the DSS headquarters has assumed conduct of the investigation “in recognition of the nature, gravity and implications of the acts complained of.”

“It is important to place on record that the DSS has now formally assumed conduct of the investigation into this matter,” Falana said, describing the decision to classify the case as terrorism-related as “commendable.”

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A middle-aged man, identified as Mr. Nwalozie Chiwendu, has allegedly killed his brother, Mr. Chidiebere Isaiah, with a cutlass in a brutal attack.

The incident occurred around 4pm on Thursday in Umunwacha village, Ofeh community, Omuma Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Residents said Chiwendu accused his brother of practising witchcraft and using it to hinder his business success.

The deceased’s body reportedly bore multiple machete wounds, with the suspect currently at large as local authorities launched a manhunt.

Already, the community has launched a search on the perpetrator, vowing to apprehend the suspect and hand him over to the law enforcement agencies for proper investigation.

The Youth President of Ofeh community, Mr Chinonso Favour Chima, who confirmed the incident, described it as a very unfortunate situation.

Chima said, “Yesterday within the evening hours, I got a call from some of my community persons telling me of the sad incident that happened between two brothers of the same compound.

“I cannot tell what happened, but the story is that the younger one carried cutlass and butchered his elder brother like meat and ran away, before the persons that were around in the community could come.

“So, after I received the call, I directed them to quickly rush him to the hospital and I was running down from town to see how we can attend to the matter.

“On my way, they took him to the first hospital, but they could not attend to him, before they could reach another hospital, the man gave up. Because it is a murder case, I told them we cannot deposit him in the mortuary just like that. We then reported it to the nearest Police Division within us here, notifying them of what happened and Police have taken note of it.

“The boy that committed the crime is on the run, we are looking for him. Community has declared a search for him everywhere. We are searching for him to get him so that he can face the full wrath of the law.

“But for now, we have deposited the deceased in the mortuary. I have also tried to address the community and ask everybody to stay calm, we should not take laws into our hands. Let us not cause more panic in the community, we are still talking with critical stakeholders of the community. For now, everything is calm.”

The incident has already been reported to the Police Division in Eberi, Omuma Local Government Area.

Police spokesperson in Rivers State, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the incident, said the police have launched a manhunt on the culprit in order to bring him to face the law.

She said, “Information at my disposal indicates that the suspect used cutlass to machete the victim to death after accusing him (victim) of witchcraft that made him (suspect) not to prosper.

“The corpse has been retrieved, deposited in the Mortuary and a manhunt has been launched for the suspect with a view to arresting and bringing him to face the law in compliance to the directive of Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.”