The Edo State Police Command has refuted viral social media reports alleging the arrest of four armed herdsmen in a hotel, clarifying that those apprehended were, in fact, hunters from Kano State.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Joel Yamu, the command said the hunters were intercepted by operatives of the Edo Security Network upon arrival in the state. The arrest took place near Americanus Hotel on Osemwenkhae Street, close to Ramat Park in Orogbeni Quarters.
“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 suspects, identified as Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu, were reportedly found in possession of three Dane guns, six empty cartridges, three half-filled cartridges, four cutlasses, and two daggers.
The Police Command emphasized that the statement was issued to correct the misleading narrative being shared online, which could incite fear and unnecessary tension among residents.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading false information, especially through social media, as it poses a threat to public peace and security.
The police assured the public that thorough investigations are ongoing to ascertain the intent of the hunters’ visit and ensure there are no security breaches.
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