The Nigerian Army, 4 Brigade, Benin City, Edo State, have arrested 31 suspected criminals during a raid on a building in First Bank Estate, Awesome Garden, along the Benin-Sapele Bypass, Benin.

The information is contained in a statement by the brigade’s Public Relations Officer, Capt. Chinonso Oteh, made available to journalists on Tuesday in Benin City.

Mr Oteh said that the operation which took place on Monday was led by the Brigade Commander, Brig-Gen Ebenezer Oduyebo, and followed credible intelligence on the activities of a notorious fraud syndicate operating from the location

He said that the suspects were allegedly engaging in cybercrime, kidnapping, robbery, and other criminal activities.

According to him, items recovered from the scene included a Toyota vehicle, smartphones, laptops, cash, fetish materials, and a shrine pot believed to be used for ritual purposes.

He said, “Preliminary investigation reveals that some of the suspects were lured into the compound by one Marvin Osabunye, who is currently on the run, under the false promise of giving them employment. Many of them ended up trapped in the building for between one and two years without freedom of movement.”

The army’s spokesperson stated that the suspects and victims, along with the recovered items, had been handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Benin Directorate Office, for further investigation and prosecution.

He added that the brigade commended the troops and collaborating security agencies for the successful operation.

“This is a significant breakthrough and part of our ongoing efforts to rid the state of all forms of criminality,” he said.

(NAN)