By USMAN ALIYU

The police command in Edo says it has arrested 37 suspects for allegedly involving in sexual and domestic abuse in the state.

Mr Monday Agbonika, the commissioner of police in Edo disclosed this in Benin on Saturday while addressing journalists on the command’s crime fighting achievements for the month of September.

According to him, the efforts are deliberately meant to tackle the disturbing trend of sexual and gender based violence including rape.

“The suspects have been investigated and are being prosecuted in the court.

“The command also arrested suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, and cultism among others in the state.

“Seven suspected kidnappers were arrested while two others were neutralised,” he said.

The commissioner of police also disclosed that 48 victims were rescued from captivity during various operations within the period under review.

He further said that the command’s operations successfully disrupted cult initiations in Benin, Auchi and Ekpoma leading to the arrest of 38 suspected cultists including leaders of rival groups.

The police boss explained that the command also reduced cult killings in Benin within the period to a zero per cent level.

Agbonika listed the items recovered within the period to include eight firearms, 56 live ammunition, and five expended cartridges.

Others include; nine vehicles, 18 motorcycles, six car master keys, 10 University of Benin’s Car Security Access Cards, android phone, nine Apple phones, and two POS machines.

As part of its renewed operational strategy, he said the command had intensified its focus on intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, and most importantly, community-driven partnerships.

He asserted that the command had built a network of support that had greatly enhanced its crime-fighting capabilities in the state. (NAN)