Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo has issued a warning to criminals operating in the state, saying those who persist in crime will face prosecution, as he will personally sign their execution warrant.
Okpebholo made the declaration on Thursday during a parade of suspects at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City of those suspects linked with Sunday’s kidnapping at the Vegetable Market, as he also promised to reward officers involved in the operation.
Governor Okpebholo said he acted swiftly after the Sunday incident and immediately directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure the perpetrators were caught.
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He said he is going to set up a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists that will be carried out within two weeks.
The governor also pushed back against criticism of the federal government’s handling of security, arguing that the results being recorded on the ground are evidence that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is funding security operatives effectively.
“I am appealing to Edo residents to steer clear of criminal activity, saying it is cheaper to live within one’s means than to gamble one’s life on crime”
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Agbonika, confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that efforts are being intensified to track down the remaining members of the kidnap gang, as one of the suspects was subsequently arrested while one was neutralised during the operation, and two others remain at large.
“I want to appreciate Governor Okpebholo for his continued support to the command and to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for his guidance, reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.”
However, Items recovered from the arrested suspect include a red Lexus RX 350 with registration number EKP 848 AE, a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, a motorcycle, and cash totalling N2,250,000, suspected to be proceeds of crime.
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