The Nigeria Police Force in Edo State has arrested a passenger allegedly found in possession of 36 live cartridges during a stop-and-search operation in Benin City.
The spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, CSP Ino Ikoedem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to the statement, officers attached to the Ikpoba Hill Area Command intercepted a minibus carrying seven passengers at Guobadia Junction along the Benin–Auchi Road.
Ikoedem said some of the passengers abandoned their belongings and attempted to flee after sighting the police, prompting officers to pursue them.
“On May 23, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., officers attached to Ikpoba Hill Area Command, while on stop-and-search duty at Guobadia Junction along the Benin–Auchi Road, intercepted a minibus conveying seven passengers from Benin–Auchi Bypass to Ring Road, Benin City,” she stated.
“During the operation, three male passengers suddenly abandoned their belongings and attempted to flee the scene.”
The police spokesperson said the officers chased the fleeing suspects and succeeded in arresting one of them, identified as Richard Gabriel, 36, from Ovia South-West Local Government Area of the state.
She added that a search conducted on the suspect’s bag led to the recovery of 36 rounds of live cartridges allegedly concealed inside.
“A search conducted on the suspect’s bag led to the recovery of 36 rounds of live cartridges concealed therein,” Ikoedem said.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Agbonika, commended the officers for their vigilance and professionalism during the operation.
He also assured residents of the command’s commitment to tackling crime and protecting lives and property across the state.
“The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, Monday Agbonika, commends 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,” the statement added.
The development comes barely a day after the command announced the arrest of two suspected cultists and the recovery of a firearm in Ohonre community, Benin City.
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