At least, 50 militants were rounded up in different parts of the state with the assistance of men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the intelligence unit of the Nigeria Army.
It was gathered that several AK47 and pump action guns and N9million cash were recovered from the suspected militants.
The arrested persons are said to have claimed that they were in the state to attend the birthday of a popular chief.
Many of those in custody had entered the state through the riverine communities, while a joint operation that led to the capture of some of the militants occurred at a popular hotel in Benin City and in nearby Okada town.
Speaking on the arrests, Tuesday, the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbo, explained that a number of the militants would be charged to court, Wednesday.
Reacting, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Chris Nehikhare, said in a statement, Tuesday, that among those arrested were five thugs and personal driver of an APC lawmaker from the state.
He explained that they were arrested for being in possession of AK47 automatic assault rifles, ostensibly meant to wreak havoc in the rescheduled governorship election.
The PDP spokesman said some militants were earlier arrested and charged before a magistrate’s court in Abudu, and granted bail without mentioning the illegal possession of firearms.
“This travesty of justice is more offensive to us against the backdrop that our members have been relentlessly harassed, arrested and charged to court on trumped-up charges, and in some cases, murder”, Nehikhare added.
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