The Edo State Police Command has arrested seven suspected cult members in Otuo, recovered a six-month-old baby allegedly stolen and taken to Imo State, and apprehended suspects linked to the alleged sexual abuse and online exposure of a young girl in Ekiadolor.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the operational achievements of the command on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor.
Ikoedem said the arrests and recovery were recorded during sustained intelligence-led operations targeting criminal activities and protecting lives and property across the state.
She said the command had also completed a one-week joint clearance operation across parts of Edo North, targeting criminal hideouts in forest areas.
According to her, the operation helped maintain relative calm in the affected communities, with no reported kidnapping incident during the period.
The police spokesperson said operatives of the Gender and Family Unit recovered the six-month-old baby allegedly stolen and taken to Imo State and arrested suspects linked to the incident. The baby has since been reunited with the family.
She also disclosed that seven suspected cult members were arrested by operatives of the Otuo Division during an intelligence-driven operation targeting cult-related activities.
In Ekiadolor, police arrested suspects allegedly involved in stripping a young girl and circulating the material on social media. The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
Ikoedem further said a 37-year-old man was arrested over the alleged rape of a 70-year-old woman in Igueben.
She said the case was being investigated and the suspect would be prosecuted if found culpable.
The Commissioner of Police urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies and advised parents and young people to shun cultism and other criminal associations.
He also warned against using social media to humiliate, threaten, expose or sexually violate others, stressing that sexual violence remained a criminal offence.