Officers of the Edo State Police Command have arrest a suspect with 36 rounds of live cartridges during a routine stop-and-search operation in Benin City.
In a statement released on Thursday, the spokesperson of the command, Eno Ikoedem, said the arrest was made at Guobadia Junction along the Benin–Auchi Road, intercepted a mini bus conveying seven passengers from Benin–Auchi Bypass to Ring Road, Benin City.
She noted that three male passengers suddenly abandoned their belongings and attempted to flee the scene but officers gave chase and apprehended one of the fleeing suspects identified as Richard Gabriel, 36 years old, from Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
The statement read, “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational success with the recovery of 36 rounds of live cartridges and the arrest of a suspect during a routine stop-and-search operation in Benin City.
“On 23rd May, 2026, at about 13:00hrs, officers attached to Ikpoba Hill Area Command, while on stop-and-search duty at Guobadia Junction along the Benin–Auchi Road, intercepted a mini bus conveying seven passengers from Benin–Auchi Bypass to Ring Road, Benin City.
“During the operation, three male passengers suddenly abandoned their belongings and attempted to flee the scene. The officers swiftly gave chase and successfully apprehended one of the fleeing suspects identified as Richard Gabriel, 36 years old, from Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
“A search conducted on the suspect’s bag led to the recovery of 36 rounds of live cartridges concealed therein.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the vigilance and professionalism of the officers involved in the operation and reassures residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
In January, the Delta State Police Command recovered firearms and illicit drugs during a festive-period clampdown on criminal activities across the state.
The police also arrested a robbery suspect and the recovery of guns and ammunition in the Ughelli North Local Government Area.
