A coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Edo State have issued update on the security put in place by Governor Monday Okpebholo in collaboration with security agencies, which led to the rescue of 16 Lagos-bound travellers who were kidnapped by gunmen on Friday.
The group also commended ongoing bush combing efforts by security Forces to rescue Benin-Abuja bound hostages by gunmen who hijacked Edo Line bus and forced into the bush on Saturday.
The police clarified that New Edo Line bus was attacked alongside a Toyota Camry car while returning from Auchi to Benin between Odemwingie and Obanrenren Communities.
Responding to the outrage expressed by Nigerians, the spokesman of the Coalition, Comrade Victor Aigbangbe, the rescue of the kidnap victims barely 24 hours after they were kidnapped could only be a testament of the robust security plans recently put in place by the government.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the group, Comrade Victor Aigbangbee, the rescue of the kidnap victims barely 24 hours after they were kidnapped could only be a testament of the robust security plans recently put in place by the government.
The statement acknowledged the role the new motorbikes donated to security agencies played in pursuing the suspects into the forest leading to the rescue, before the abductors got to their camps.
He noted that although insecurity is a national problem, the Monday Okpebholo’s administration has demonstrated enough capacity to prevent and respond appropriately to these issues to keep Edo people safe.
The quick response of security agencies in rescuing these victims has shown that with the right Investments in security, just as the governor has done, the issue of insecurity could be tackled.
“In recent times, we have seen tremendous investment in mobility for our security personnel, with the recent ones being the handing over of special motor bikes for forest combings. This lastest intervention has proven to be the key in this rescue mission, giving Civil Society and Edo people the hope that security agencies now have the capacity to keep the State safe.”
“The statement also praised the commissioner of Police for keeping to his words of “a new dawn in policing the State” nothing that “the commissioner of Police CP Monday Agbonika has shown to Edo people that they could still rely on security agencies for the safety”, according to the group.
