The Edo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspected hunters with arms and ammunition in the state.
The command disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Saturday by its spokesperson, Moses Yamu.
Yamu, however, described as untrue the series of reports going on social media platforms that the suspects are armed herdsmen.
He said the suspects intercepted and arrested by members of the Edo Security Network have since been handed over to operatives of the Ikpoba Hill Police Station.
He gave the names of the suspects as Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu.
The command’s spokesperson said the suspects are hunters from Doguwa in Kano State and are heading to Uvbe Community in Orhionwon Local Government Area of the state.
He added that they were arrested with three Dane guns, six empty cartridges, three half-filled cartridges, four cutlasses and two daggers.
The statement read in part: “The Edo Command is aware of misinformation on the social media that four herdsmen armed with guns were arrested at Americanus Hotel on Osemwenkhae Street after Big Joe Motors Ramat Park, Orogbeni Quarters and handed over to the Police.
“The command wishes to inform the general public that four suspects, Yusuf Abdulkarim, Mujaheed Garba, Shittu Idris, and Jamilu Habibu, intercepted by a member of the Edo Security Network with three Dane guns, six empty cartridges, three half-filled cartridges, four cutlasses and two daggers, were swiftly taken over by officers from the Ikpoba Hill Police Station.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that they are hunters, not herdsmen. They were from Doguwa in Kano State, heading to Uvbe Community in Orhionwon LGA of Edo State.”
Yamu, who said the investigation is ongoing, stated that Edo State Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika discouraged residents of the state from circulating wrong information capable of causing unnecessary tension.
