Police Arrest Four Hunters with Arms in Edo, Dismiss Social Media Claims of Herdsmen Involvement

The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four individuals in possession of arms and ammunition, clarifying that the suspects are hunters and not armed herdsmen, as widely speculated on social media.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, revealed that the suspects—Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu—were apprehended by members of the Edo Security Network and handed over to officers at the Ikpoba Hill Police Station.

Yamu explained that the four men, all from Doguwa in Kano State, were en route to Uvbe Community in Orhionwon Local Government Area of Edo State when they were intercepted. Items recovered from them included three Dane guns, six empty cartridges, three half-filled cartridges, four cutlasses, and two daggers.

Dismissing widespread online claims that the suspects were armed herdsmen, Yamu emphasized that preliminary investigations confirmed their identity as hunters. He also urged members of the public to refrain from spreading misinformation, warning that such actions could create unnecessary panic and tension within the state.

The police spokesperson assured that investigations are ongoing and reiterated the commitment of Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, to ensuring public safety while discouraging the spread of false narratives.