Obaseki applauds security agencies over reduced kidnapping

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has commended security agencies for the improved security in the state, noting that the synergy between the state government and the agencies has continued to yield positive results.

He specifically commended the security agents for the reduction of banditry and kidnappings along the Benin-Auchi Expressway.

Obaseki, who stated this while addressing journalists shortly after the monthly security meeting with heads of security agencies in the state, said there had been no report of kidnapping on the Benin-Ekpoma Road in the last month.

He said the security agencies have been able to dislodge the kidnappers on the road, as there has been a significant drop in the activities of bandits.

“We have reviewed the data for crime from September 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021, and we found slight improvement insecurity in the state, with about 101 incidents compared to August, which was slightly higher.

“Kidnapping still tops the list of crimes, followed by homicides and drugs. We noticed that this month, the security agencies dislodged kidnappers from the Benin-Ekpoma axis during the period under review, as there was no incident of kidnapping between Benin and Ekpoma,” he said.

Obaseki noted that the state government had enough intelligence and it was working to ensure that kidnapping was stamped out from the state, adding, however, that the state government reviewed the issue of accidents and expressed concern over the trend.

“You heard about the unfortunate incident of the road accident a couple of weeks ago that claimed almost seven lives. We have given orders to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian Police to ensure that the drivers of the vehicles are prosecuted by next week.

Also, the state Commissioner of Police (CP), Philip Ogbadu, reassured the state government of commitment to the security of life and property of Edo citizens.

“We have already drawn an operations plan for the ‘ember’ months. Soon, there will be an improvement in our operations. The military will also launch an operation from Monday on Ehor Road, on safety awareness in the last three months of the year,” he added.