Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said that criminals will have no hiding place in the state under his administration.

The governor spoke in Benin yesterday at the commissioning of 300 motorbikes his administration donated to security agencies to enhance security across the state.

The commissioning, which was attended by the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika and the Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo, the governor, said the motorbikes were designed to support security agencies in accessing hard-to-reach terrains, particularly forest areas where criminal elements often seek refuge.

He said: “We promised our people during the campaign that we would fight insecurity and restore peace to every part of Edo State. Today, we are fulfilling that promise. These bikes will be deployed across the senatorial districts and will help security agencies reach areas where vehicles cannot go.

“Let me be clear, criminals must leave Edo State. These motorbikes, along with other security technologies we are deploying, will make it very difficult for them to operate. We are not just equipping the system. We are maintaining it. These bikes will be properly serviced and supported to ensure continuous use.”

Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Agbonika, described the initiative as a “new dawn” in Edo’s security efforts, especially in tackling forest-based crimes like kidnapping.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), yesterday, said it has arrested 5,936 criminal suspects and recovered 360 prohibited firearms and 5,953 rounds of live ammunition during nationwide operations in August.

Force Public Relations Officer (PRO), DCP Muyiwa Adejobi, said this while briefing reporters yesterday at the Force Intelligence Department–Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) base in Guzape, Abuja.

He said the arrests were made by operatives of the IRT and other special units as part of intensified efforts to combat gunrunning and the proliferation of illegal arms.

According to Adejobi, those arrested include 715 armed robbery suspects, 306 kidnappers, 533 homicide suspects, 149 for unlawful possession of firearms, 371 for sexually related offences, 590 suspected cultists, and 3,272 others for various crimes.

He cited several notable cases, including the arrest of one Jane Anodua in Rivers State for an alleged role in child trafficking reported by the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs.