Edo police confirm cell break, re-arrest 2 out of 10 fleeing suspects

The Edo State police command has re-arrested two of 10 suspects who escaped from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office on January 1, 2020.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, on Monday, January 4, 2021.

The Police spokesman stated that the Command has launched a manhunt operation to arrest the remaining eight fleeing suspects.

He also clarified that the suspects escaped from their cell on Friday, January 1 at about 2.45am, contrary to reports that the incident happened on Saturday.

The statement read in part: “Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that ten suspects escaped on the 1st of January, 2021 at about 2.45am from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) facility.

“Two have been re-arrested and brought back to custody.

“The figure is not the same one being maliciously and falsely speculated on social media according to the command spokesman.

“The suspects were detained on the order of court, one for stealing, one for murder, three for cultism, three for robbery, while the other two were under Police investigation for stealing. It is worthy to note that the quick mobilization and response of officers curbed further escape of the suspects.

“The Policemen who were responsible for the safe custody of the escaped suspects have been identified, arrested and detained for the departmental disciplinary process. An effort is being intensified to re-arrest the fleeing suspects.

“The command has the wherewithal/intelligence to re-arrest the remaining suspects who are on the run but will still appreciate any useful information from the members of the public as no stone will be left unturned in assuring that all those suspects are re-arrested.”

Nwabuzor assured members of the public that the command would continue to protect the lives and property of law-abiding citizens.