A coalition of civil rights advocates, under the aegis of the Bail is Free campaign, has urged Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to take decisive action against alleged police misconduct and ensure the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.

The group’s appeal follows mounting concerns over alleged police corruption, extortion, and complicity in criminal activities under the leadership of Commissioner of Police (CP) Monday Agbonika.

At a press briefing in Benin City on Saturday, Coordinator-General of the coalition, Comrade Oni Edigin, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in the state, saying public confidence in law enforcement has been severely eroded.

Edigin described a disturbing situation in Edo State, where kidnapping has become a lucrative enterprise, armed bandits terrorise communities, and internet fraudsters, popularly known as Yahoo Yahoo boys, allegedly operate under police protection.

The Bail is Free campaign called for the immediate redeployment of CP Agbonika, accusing him of failing to tackle the rising crime rate and allowing a culture of impunity to thrive within the command.

The group urged Governor Okpebholo to prioritise the safety and security of residents by initiating comprehensive police reforms, strengthening oversight mechanisms, and ensuring that officers found guilty of misconduct face appropriate sanctions.

Edigin also called on police authorities to live up to their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, stressing that citizens must not be subjected to harassment or intimidation by those meant to safeguard them.

He further appealed to the Edo State Government to ensure that no agent of the state or federal government tramples on the rights of citizens under the guise of enforcing law and order.