By Okhide Em’ya David
Hardened suspected kidnapper who operates in Police Uniform, was among 41 suspected hardened criminals, paraded by the Edo State Police Command on Friday. During the operation 8 members of the suspected criminal gang were killed.
The new Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Phillip Aliyu Ogbadu, while briefing the Media on his exploits in Benin during the first three weeks of his deployment, said 2 kidnapped Victims were rescued during the period under review.
Ogbadu said out of the 41 Suspected Criminals arrested, 13 were suspected Cultists, 17 armed robbery, 11 kidnapping and 3 were apprehended for Rituals.
6 Persons were arrested for alleged murder, 5 for unlawful possession of firearms, 2 for assault and 1 for rape.
Edo State Police Command also recovered 47 AK Riffles amongst them were those stolen from the Oba Market Police Station when it was burnt down by hoodlums during the #EndSARS Riot.
6 TOC Riffles, 1 Tokarov Pistol, 8 locally made Guns and 119 live ammunition were recovered from the hoodlums.
Also recovered from the suspected criminals were 27 live Cartridges, 8 Vehicles, 1 Motorcycle, 6 telephone handsets and 2 dummy Gins.
Ogbadu, while parading the suspected hoodlums before newsmen observed that on his assumption of duty, he discovered that the command was faced with various challenges ranging from confronting kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and rape, amongst others.
As a result, he said, the Command devised several security strategies to prevent crime and ensure a secure, safe and stable environment for economic progress and social interaction.
Ogbadu announced that the Command adopted due diligence system of administration, robust tactical operations, and ensured that cases were thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
He said the strategies are domesticated in anticrime patrols and raid operations around identified black spots, which are on ongoing, bush combing patrols, which have been sustained throughout Edo State till date.
The Police Chief said Town Hall Stakeholders Meetings have commenced and will be regularly held to review the security situations with engagement of Community members in accordance with Community Policing Philosophy of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Adamu Mohammed, while Intelligence-led policing will be encouraged.
He said the Edo Police command has started and will continue to work towards boosting the morale of its personnel, improve their performance and building public confidence towards the Police with a view to getting credible information that will aid policing.
His words: “The command has visited all security agencies in a bid to strengthen synergy among them to foster inter agency collaboration.
” The concept of Community Policing as adopted by the Inspector General of Police of Police is being injected in Policing the state, strategic stake holders are also ongoing to play security advisory roles,” he added.”
The Police Commissioner appealed for support from the people which he highlighted as very crucial for effective policing of their communities adding that to bridge the gap created by shortage of manpower the command is liaising with Vigilante groups in policing the state.
He disclosed that the Command was strictly complying with the federal and state government’s directives on Covid–19 protocols as it has been carrying out enforcement patrols.
Ogbadu expressed deep appreciation to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu for giving him the opportunity to serve in Edo state; the Edo State Government under the able leadership of
Governor Godwin Obaseki, for providing logistic supports, information gathering and intelligence sharing, which have so far been helpful.
The CP commended Officers and Men of Edo State Police Command for their doggedness in fighting crime, commitment to duty and sacrifices.
He craved the indulgence of the Government and people of the state to solicit unflinching cooperation and support in all areas of human endeavor in order to serve Edo State better.
The Police Commissioner thanked and asked members of the Public, Landlords, Agents, Traditional Rulers, Park operators and Opinion leaders to be sensitive and responsive to new faces seen within their community as security is everybody’s business and prayed God almighty to continue to bless the Police with wisdom to police Edo State so that development and progress will be engendered.Some of the Suspected hardened Criminals including, Mr. Igwe Onah who disguised in Police Uniform to perpetuate his heinous criminal acts, and the trio of Divine Unuodionse, Courage Anslem and Lucky Igiwa who were caught red handed in an attempt to use a female teenager for money rituals initially denied their involvement in the charges against them but when confronted with their initial confessions, became remorseful.
