Operatives of Edo state police command, Monday, said it has re-arrested two of the suspects who escaped from its custody on new year’s day.
The police also said it has launched a manhunt for eight other escapees.
Scores of criminal suspects in custody at the state police headquarters in Benin City were said to force their cell open, and fled.
However, in a statement issued by SP. Chidi Nwabuzor, spokesman of the command said only 10 suspects escaped during the cell break, noting that two had been re-arrested.
Nwabuzor described the figure of escapees being branded on social media “as being maliciously and falsely speculated”.
According to him, “eight 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. “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.”
