Edo: 208 kidnap, robbery cases yet to be resolved, says Obaseki

By Enahoro  Iyemefokhai

Edo State Government on Sunday said no fewer than 208 kidnapped and robbery cases recorded in the state between July 1, 2020 and December 1, 2020 were yet to be resolved by security  agencies.

Gov. Godwin Obaseki made the disclosure during a meeting with the new Commissioner of Police , Philip Ogbadu at Government House, in Benin City.

Obaseki, who lamented that  kidnap and robbery cases have not been resolved by the police tasked the new Commissioner of Police, to ensure that the state is free of crime. He said during the period a total of 108 kidnapped and 100 robbery cases were recorded which have not been resolved.

The governor also expressed dismay that no reasonable progress has been made in the investigations into the jailbreaks which occurred during the #EndSARS protests in the state.

While assuring that the state government’s commitment to providing the resources as well as  work closely with the command  to monitor the way the resources are managed, he also pledged his aadministration’s determination to work closely with the command  to provide adequate security for Edo residents.

“The situation where almost 2,000 inmates were released from our Correctional centres and no progress made in re-arresting them is worrisome. The circumstances of the jailbreaks are questionable and I have not seen any report or enquiry into the jail breaks. “No visible disciplinary action has been taken against culpable law enforcement personnel.

“The elections are over and we will not tolerate any criminal action in the name of politics. Politics should not cover up crime. I am handing over to you the state security incident analysis which contains data on crimes in the state.

“It provides a clear picture of what is going on in the state but no system is in place to support the state government to check crimes.

“We will sit with you to manage security on a daily basis. People should know that there is government and police in the state. It will no longer be business as usual.

The Police are expected to work with the state government to ensure that the state is free of criminal elements. As the Commissioner of Police in Edo State, your primary responsibility is to the Edo people. Make the presence of the Police felt across the state,”

Obaseki added. On his part, the new commissioner of Police in the state, Philip  Ogbadu, promised to  work with the state government to check the crime rate as well as to ensure a crime-free society.

Ogbadu, who said 54 firearms were stolen during #EndSARS protest disclosed that only eight of the arms have been recovered. According to him, “we would do our best to ensure the state is crime-free and there will be changes in the state.

54 firearms were stolen during #EndSARS protest and only 8 of the arms have been recovered. “We will do our best in ensuring all the arms are recovered. Stationary vehicles should be in strategic positions awaiting distress calls from citizens”,he assured.