Edo Police Commissioner warns against further violence in Edo State

Edo state Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Dankwara, has warned against further acts of violence that may lead to the loss of lives and property in the State.

This call became necessary due to the violent protest that rocked Benin City on Wednesday, 15th February 2023.

The protest led to the destruction of property by suspected hoodlums in Benin city.

The protest was sparked by the Central Bank Naira redesign policy, which resulted in a large number of youths taking to the streets to demand new Naira notes and the collection of old notes by the banks.

The statement said "Unfortunately, the protest, which was hijacked by armed hoodlums, turned violent when the armed hoodlums attempted to attack and gain access into the Benin branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria but Security personnel on duty responded promptly to the hoodlums, and in the process, two of them were hit by stray bullets and were confirmed dead on arrival to the hospital.

The armed hoodlums who capitalized on the protests attacked, looted, and destroyed several banks and private properties in the state capital. Banks such as UBA, First Bank, Access Bank, Unity Bank, Keystone Bank, Ecobank, FCMB, Polaris and Zenith Banks were affected, and properties such as ATMs, generator batteries, and vehicles were vandalized and looted.

The police commissioner noted that some armed hoodlums had been arrested and would be charged in court immediately per the law. He expresses his deepest sympathies to the Commercial Banks
whose property was destroyed during the protests. He assures the good people of the State that the Police Command and all the security services are doing everything possible to bring the perpetrators of these violent acts to justice".

CP Dankwara, therefore, enjoins parents and guardians to caution their wards and children against engaging in acts of violence, as the law will not spare anyone who violates the peace of the State.

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