65-year-old herbalist, 21 others arrested for armed robbery

The Police Command in Edo says a 65-year-old herbalist is among the 22 people arrested for armed robbery, cultism and unlawful assembly in the state.

SP Chidi Nwabuzor, the command spokesman stated this while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Benin.

Nwabuzor said the herbalist and one other suspect were arrested in Benin on Jan. 31, by the command’s surveillance team.

He said they were arrested following investigation into cases of unlawful possession of firearm and armed robbery.

According to the police spokesman, one pump action gun has been recovered from them.

Nwabuzor added that two others suspected of conspiracy, unlawful possession of firearm and armed robbery were also arrested by the police surveillance team.

He said that the gang use Mercedes GLK and a black Lexus jeep for their armed robbery operations to hoodwink their victims.

The command spokesman said a pump action gun, four cut-to-size locally made guns and nine live cartridges were recovered from them.

He noted that the suspects had confessed to have robbed many people between Benin and Auchi in Edo.

Similarly, the police spokesperson said 13 people suspected of participating in the Feb. 15 protest over banknotes were arrested, while five others were nabbed for cultism and unlawful possession of firearm.

He said that the suspects would be prosecuted after investigation.