The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four hunters from Kano State who were intercepted with arms and ammunition upon arrival in Edo.
The clarification followed widespread misinformation on social media suggesting that the suspects were armed herdsmen apprehended at a hotel and handed over to the police.
According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, the individuals in question are not herdsmen, as speculated, but hunters en route to the Uvbe community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State. The arrested men were identified as Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu.
Items recovered from them include three Dane guns, six empty cartridges, three half-filled cartridges, four cutlasses, and two daggers. The arrests were made by operatives of the Edo Security Network.
“The Edo State Police Command is aware of misinformation circulating on social media that four herdsmen armed with guns were arrested at Americanus Hotel on Osemwenkhae Street, after Big Joe Motors, Ramat Park, Orogbeni Quarters, and handed over to the police,” the statement read. “Preliminary investigation reveals that they are hunters, not herdsmen. They are from Doguwa in Kano State, heading to Uvbe community in Orhionwon Local Government Area of Edo State. Meanwhile, an investigation is ongoing.”
The Commissioner of Police in Edo State, Monday Agbonika, urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unfounded claims that could incite tension or fear within the state.