- Odibo Victory
The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has on Thursday, rewarded police operatives who apprehended suspects linked to the Benin Vegetable Market kidnapping incident with N10m.
According to reports, unidentified gunmen attacked a family that had gone to buy fruits at the Fruit Market along Airport Road in Benin City and abducted a woman after shooting the tyre of their parked Jeep. Her husband and children, however, escaped unhurt.
The woman was rescued from the kidnappers’ den on Wednesday.
Okpebholo announced the reward at the Edo State Police Command headquarters on Thursday during the parade of suspects, including those involved in the kidnapping at the fruit market near Airport Road in Benin.
The governor also disclosed that the state government would establish a special court to prosecute kidnappers, cultists and other high-profile criminal offenders in order to ensure speedy justice.
He said the proposed court would be required to conclude proceedings within one month of the commencement of trials.
Okpebholo further stated that he would not hesitate to sign death warrants for convicted murderers and others found guilty of offences that attract the death penalty.
He described the fruit market kidnapping as horrifying and unacceptable, insisting that the suspects must be prosecuted without delay.
“When the incident happened on Sunday, I contacted the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the abductors were swiftly arrested.
“The commissioner swung into action and arrested a suspect. One of the suspects was neutralised during the operation, while two others are currently at large.
“You can see that the police, army and other security operatives are working. I wonder why people keep saying that the President is not working. The President is funding the security agencies to enable them function effectively.
“That is why criminals will never find peace in Edo. They will not go free after committing crimes in the state; they will be arrested.
“We are ready for criminals and their sponsors. We are not joking; we are working day and night to ensure that Edo is safe,” he said.
The governor, however, appealed to residents to shun all forms of criminality, saying it was easier to earn a legitimate living than to engage in crime.
“I will sign your execution. We will take you to Ring Road Roundabout so that Edo people can watch. I will have no regrets about it, so do not take my simplicity for granted,” he added.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, said investigations were ongoing and efforts had been intensified to apprehend other members of the gang who remained at large.
Agbonika listed a red Lexus RX 350 with registration number EKP 848 AE, one pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, a cash sum of N2.25 million suspected to be proceeds of crime, and one motorcycle as items recovered from the suspect.
“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the governor for his continued support to the command. I also appreciate the support and guidance of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun,” he said.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police.