Edo Denies Link of Government House Officer in Intercepted Firearms Case

The Edo State Government has firmly dismissed reports alleging that a police officer attached to the Government House was linked to the unlawful movement of firearms recently intercepted in Kogi State.

An online publication earlier this month claimed that Inspector Paul Elimwenga, the officer reportedly involved, was serving at the Edo Government House.

The government, however, described the claim as false and malicious.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, the state government said the report was “incorrect, misleading and should be disregarded in its entirety.”

According to Itua, the government maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance toward any action that threatens public safety or undermines the integrity of the state’s security structure.

“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to an online publication making the rounds on social media, alleging that a police officer attached to the Edo State Government House was involved in the unlawful transfer of firearms intercepted in Kogi State,” the statement read.

“The report is incorrect, misleading and should be disregarded in its entirety. For the avoidance of doubt, the officer referenced in the publication, Inspector Paul Elimwenga, is not an officer of the Edo State Government House.

He is a duly deployed personnel of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 5, Ogida, Benin City.”

Itua assured the public that the government remains committed to supporting security agencies in maintaining law and order, while urging media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensitive security-related information.

He added that Edo State would not hesitate to take appropriate legal actions against individuals or groups involved in spreading misinformation capable of causing panic or tarnishing the government’s image.