Seventeen persons have been arraigned in Criminal Court One in Benin city by men of the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police for allegedly attacking some personnel who were on lawful duties in Benin city.

Police said the operatives, who were on a routine patrol around the Aduwawa end of the Benin-Auchi road in Benin city on 24 September, 2020 accosted a Toyota car whose occupants were suspected.

The car was pulled over for routine search. Some items suspected to be canabis popularly called “Indian Hemp” were recovered, a situation which forced the policemen to embark on a thorough search.

As the car and the occupants were to be taking to the State Police headquarters for further Investigation, one of the suspects then put a call across to some persons suspected to be members of a secret cult group.

The alleged cult members who arrived in a commando style, attacked the policemen using various hard objects. The calmness of the policemen saved the day ås they refused to use their firearms despite repeated attempts to snatch their guns.

But the police were quick to arrest a leader of the attackers who then took the policemen to arrest other members of the gang. They were all subsequently charged to a high court in Benin city.

The trial Judge , Hon. Justice Efe Ikpomwonba however granted the accused persons bail and adjourn the case to 15 October, 2020.

Contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer SP Chidi Nwabuzor said, the police legal Department would diligently ensure the prosecution of the 17 accused persons.

He urged the police operatives in the State to go about their lawful duties by ensuring that Edo State remain safe at all times.

Festus Alenkhe