Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational success in its sustained efforts to rid the state of criminal elements, mop up illegal firearms and enhance public safety, recovering an Italian-made pistol during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Auchi-Okene Expressway. The operation, which took place at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Okpella, Edo North, saw operatives of the Safer Highway Unit intercept two unidentified young men travelling on a motorcycle.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, on Friday, August 7, 2026, the passenger on the motorcycle offered the officers some money upon approaching the police checkpoint. The officers professionally refused the offer and insisted that both occupants alight for a search, based on reasonable suspicion. The passenger then alighted, threw away the bag he was carrying, and fled into the nearby bush, while the motorcycle rider sped off from the scene, abandoning the bag. A thorough search of the abandoned bag led to the recovery of a serviceable Italian-made pistol with its breech number filed off, a common tactic used by criminals to conceal the weapon's origin and evade tracing.
The Edo State Police Command confirmed that efforts are ongoing to identify, trace, and apprehend the fleeing suspects. The recovery of the firearm is part of the command's broader strategy to mop up illegal weapons and enhance public safety across the state. The statement, which was posted on the Edo State Police Command's official X handle on Friday, August 7, 2026, has drawn praise from residents and security analysts who have commended the officers for their professionalism in rejecting the bribe and carrying out their duty without compromise.
The Auchi-Okene Expressway, a major highway connecting Edo to Kogi State, has long been identified as a corridor for criminal activities, including armed robbery and kidnapping. The Edo State Police Command has intensified patrols and stop-and-search operations along the route in recent months, leading to several arrests and recoveries of weapons and stolen goods. The latest recovery of the Italian-made pistol with its breech number filed off suggests that the weapon may have been used in previous crimes or smuggled into the country illegally. Security experts have noted that the filing off of breech numbers is a common practice among criminals to make it difficult for law enforcement to trace the origin of firearms.
The Edo State Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led policing and community engagement, urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information. The command assured the public that it would not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property. As investigations continue, the police have called on anyone with information about the fleeing suspects to report to the nearest police station, assuring that all information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
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