Edo State Police Commissioner, Johnson Kokumo
                                             
                                                         
The Edo State Police Command on Monday said,it has arrested two of the ten escapee suspects, who escaped the custody of the State Criminal Investigations Department of the Edo State Police Command on Friday,1st of January,2021
The media ( traditional and social) have been innuendoted, since Sunday over scores of escapee suspects from the  State SCID detention facility in Benin City,the Edo State Capital.
The report has it that most of the escapees are those arrested for kidnappings, robbery and the ongoing cult-related killings in the state.
The Edo  State Police Command in a press statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer,SP Chidi Nwabuozor and made available to journalists in Benin, said that contrary to  the publication that have gone viral on social media andother platforms alleging that hundreds of suspected armed robbers and kidnappers escaped from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) facility,it was only ten suspects that escaped.The statement reads in part.
“The  Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that ten suspects escaped on the 1st of January, 2021 at about 0245hrs (2.45am), out which two have been re-arrested and brought back to custody. The figure is not as being maliciously and falsely speculated on social media. 
“That eight (8) of the suspects were detained on the order of court, in summary; stealing – 1, Murder- 1, Cultism-3, Robbery-3, while the other two (2) 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 departmental disciplinary process.  Effort is being intensified to re-arrest the fleeing suspects. 
“That 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. The Command assures members of the public of its continued commitment to protect lives and property of law abiding citizens.” The statement concluded.