The Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Joseph Ikpea, has expressed support for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s proposal to ensure the speedy trial of kidnappers and cultists in Edo State, with the aim of ensuring prompt punishment.
- +Edo senator backs crackdown on kidnappers, cultists
Ikpea, in a statement issued on Friday from his Ewatto country home in Esan South-East Local Government Area and made available to journalists, also commended the governor for the recent crackdown on kidnap syndicates operating in parts of the state.
Ikpea, in a statement issued on Friday from his Ewatto country home in Esan South-East Local Government Area and made available to journalists, also commended the governor for the recent crackdown on kidnap syndicates operating in parts of the state.
He particularly referenced the rescue of a woman kidnapped at the popular Vegetable Market in Benin City on Sunday and the arrest of a member of the gang involved in the incident.
The Edo State Police Command, in collaboration with Governor Okpebholo, had on Thursday paraded suspected kidnappers, including one of those allegedly involved in the Vegetable Market abduction. The governor had said he would not facilitate the establishment of a special court that would conclude the trial of suspected kidnappers and cultists within two weeks, and also promised to sign their death warrants and ensure public execution at the Ring Road roundabout in Benin City.
The governor, in appreciation of the police operation linked to the Vegetable Market incident, also announced a financial reward of N10 million.
Reacting to the developments, Senator Ikpea commended the support being provided by Governor Okpebholo to security agencies to tackle insecurity in the state, as well as the efforts of security operatives in maintaining safety.
According to Ikpea, “Governor Okpebholo’s prompt directive to the Edo police to fish out the perpetrators of the Vegetable Market kidnap incident, immediately after the Sunday incident in Benin City and the response of the police and other security agencies that led to the rescue of the kidnapped woman and the arrest of a member of the gang is highly commendable.”
He said the governor’s action “is a clear signal to criminal elements around the state that nowhere is safe for them and a huge confidence booster for the citizens of the state that they are safe.”
“As the senator representing Edo Central, I reaffirm my support and determination to collaborate with the state government in ensuring that Edo Central is safe.
“I am also committed to working with my fellow senators in the other senatorial districts to collaborate with the state government to ensure security in all parts of the state,” Ikpea added.
The senator also reiterated his call for indigenes and residents of Edo State to see security as a civic responsibility.
“When everyone is involved in the business of security, all the bad elements in the state will either repent or relocate as they would have realised that Edo State is no safe haven to criminals.”
