Gov Okpebholo condemns Sunday kidnap in Benin market, orders probe

Gov Monday Okpebholo

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, condemned the Sunday kidnap of a woman while her husband escaped at a Vegetable Market off Airport Road, Benin City in the state.

The incident was captured in a CCTV where the assailants alighted from a red vehicle, shot at the tyres of a grey colour vehicle and dragged the driver suspected to be the woman’s husband into their vehicle but he struggled out of the vehicle and ran away while the gunmen pursued him, few seconds after, the gunmen dragged a woman back into their car and sped off.

A radio message said to be from the Command Office of the Edo State Security Corps, ESSC, sent an alert to all its formations informing them that the suspected kidnappers were said to be on ESSC uniforms and should stop and search all red colour vehicles, arrest any ESSC personnel not in any unmarked vehicle, any personal in their area that they are not familiar with and take to the nearest police station or the ESSC office.

In a statement by Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, the governor condemned the kidnap, describing it as unacceptable and a direct attack on innocent residents.

The governor directed the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, to commence a swift and coordinated investigation into the incident with a view at ensuring the safe rescue of the victims and arresting those responsible for the attack.

He said: “The governor warned that the Edo State government will not tolerate any act that threatens public safety and security or disturbs the peace of the state.

“Governor Okpebholo urges residents of Benin City and across Edo State to remain alert and report  suspicious movements to the nearest Police station,  stressing that timely information will support ongoing police operations.

“He reaffirmed that the government would not relent until those responsible were apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.”

Culled from Vanguard