…as group seeks redeployment of Edo CP over extortion
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded significant achievements in the fight against criminal activities as a total of 563 suspects were arrested for various offences in 2025.
In addition, the Command recovered 14 stolen vehicles, released them to their owners while 74 human trafficking victims were rescued and reunited with their families during the year under review.
“Ten kidnapped victims were rescued and 33 convictions were secured, ” it stated.
Baba Mohammed Azare, the Commissioner of Police, made this known in his end-of-year media briefing, detailing the achievements recorded by the Command.
Giving further insights to the achievements, the commissioner said a total of 179 assorted arms were recovered , 323 different types of ammunition were equally recovered while 100 pieces of live cartridges were also recovered from hoodlums.
Meanwhile, a group, Bail Is Free Campaign, has called for the redeployment of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, citing his inability to deal with the issues of alleged extortions of citizens of the State.
The group made the call on Monday during a peaceful protest in Benin City, where demonstrators marched with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Stop unlawful detention,” “We demand accountability and transparency,” and “End police extortion.”
Addressing journalists, Oni Edigin, Director General of the group, alleged that the Commissioner of Police lacks the ability to direct the affairs of the Command, especially when it comes to the alleged extortions of the citizens of the state and so, he should be redeployed.
“Our major challenge is not just the CP. It is chronic. I mean all the tactical teams, all the DPOs and some of the Area Commands, they are all accomplices in this matter. So, we need a reformation. The CP doesn’t have that capability and professionalism to handle Edo State.
“We have tested him. A CP who will tell you is either you leave the money or I will prosecute the erring officer and our complainant, does that make sense? We just come to you for justice and you are giving us conditions. Justice doesn’t have conditions. It simply stands for fairness, equity and transparency”, Edigin said.
He noted that the Association had done its best in sensitising the public on their rights across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State, telling them that bail is free, yet, suspects and their relatives are still being exploited by the Police whenever they seek bail for the suspects being held by the Police.
