The police command in Edo says it has rescued 51 kidnap victims in different operations across the state.

Police commissioner Phillip Ogbadu disclosed this in Benin on Thursday.

Mr Ogbadu explained that the victims were rescued between July and September from various bushes in the state where they were held hostage by their abductors.

He also stated that the command arrested 132 suspects during the period, explaining that they were arrested for murder, kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery, and arson.

“Others were arrested for defilement, stealing, rape, assault on policemen, suicide, and taking part in communal clashes. Thirty-seven of them were arrested for murder, while 40 were arrested for kidnapping and 28 arrested for stealing,” he explained. “The command also arrested 13 suspects for armed robbery, five for alleged arson, two each for involvement in communal clashes, assault on policemen and cultism.”

Mr Ogbadu added, “One suspect each was arrested for rape, defilement, and attempt to commit suicide.”

He added that the police also seized 32 arms during the period.

Mr Ogbadu reiterated that the command would not rest on its laurels in stamping out crimes from the state.

While noting that there has been a reduction in the crime rate in the state, Mr Ogbadu urged Edo residents to continue to partner the police.

He urged the public to always avail the police with information on suspicious activities around them and gave assurance of utmost confidentiality protection in treating such reports.

(NAN)