Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have detained a man found in possession of 36 live cartridges during a routine stop-and-search operation in Benin City.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, the arrest occurred at Guobadia Junction along the Benin–Auchi Road when officers intercepted a commercial minibus travelling from the Benin–Auchi Bypass to Ring Road with seven passengers on board.
The statement explained that the situation turned suspicious when three male passengers suddenly abandoned their belongings and attempted to escape upon sighting the officers. Police operatives immediately pursued them and succeeded in arresting one of the fleeing suspects, identified as 36-year-old Richard Gabriel from Ovia South-West Local Government Area.
A search conducted on his luggage reportedly led to the discovery of 36 rounds of live cartridges carefully concealed inside the bag.
“The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational success with the recovery of 36 rounds of live cartridges and the arrest of a suspect during a routine stop-and-search operation in Benin City,” the statement noted.
It further disclosed that the operation took place on May 23, 2026, at about 1:00 p.m., while officers of the Ikpoba Hill Area Command were on duty at Guobadia Junction.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, praised the officers for their alertness and professionalism, assuring residents of the Command’s continued commitment to crime prevention and public safety across the state.
The Command added that investigations are ongoing to determine the source and intended use of the recovered ammunition.