By Victor Ofure Osehobo
About 7 persons suspected to be kidnappers are now in Police net in Benin City, the Edo state capital.
Their arrest follows the raid of their hideouts at the notorious Upper Sakponba area of Benin City and adjourning riverine communities.
The raid was by the Joint security task force headed by the military which began operations weekend.
General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General Omozoje, had promised to bring a halt to the recent rise in criminality in Edo state.
He said they would lend support to efforts at capturing fleeing escapees from the two federal correctional facilities in Benin City, the state capital.
Maj. Gen. Omozoje met with heads of security agencies in the state, and made a case on the need for synergy among the agencies with a view to restoring peace and order in the state.
On their operations in the riverine communities and other hotspots, he said: “Troops of the 4 brigade are on clearance operation at suspected kidnappers hideouts at Ogbemudia oil palm plantation and the river behind it. We intend to disrupt all kidnapping activities along the axis and secure the Benin-Auchi Expressway.”
He also noted that several escaped prisoners and criminal gang leaders have been arrested, as the taskforce is focused on ensuring a reduction in crime in Benin metropolis and environs.
He added that he is in synergy with the Commander 4 Brigade, Brig. Gen. UM Bello, and the Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Zone 5, Mr. Sola Davis.
