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From Tony Osauzo, Benin
The Special Security Squad, Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo, has arrested over 20 persons in its first operation in Benin City.
The arrests were made after the Squad raided notorious hideouts of criminals at Isihor, Iguosa, Oluku, Ibiwe/Lagos Street, and other places on Tuesday. Many of the suspects were arrested with drugs, dangerous weapons and other incriminating materials.
Speaking after the operation, a member of the Squad, John Adewale Eseikhaigbe, commended the move made by governor Monday Okpebholo for establishing the squad which he said would go a long way in reducing the criminal elements perpetuating evils in the state.
He assured that the squad would continue to clean up the state and make it safe for all, saying: “Thanks to the Governor of Edo state for his initiative in setting up the Squad, because he is a man committed to peace and against conflicts.
“Following the recent killing in the state, the governor took it upon himself to announce to the state, nation and the World that the killing in Edo state must stop, thereby constituting the Special Squad.
“The Squad commenced operation on Tuesday and made several arrests and you can see for yourself as we combed the length and breath of the city of Benin to ensure it is safe for our people.
“We made several arrests. We found drugs, weapons and other implicating materials. This has come to stay and we will ensure that Edo State is safe for our people and investors who have come to invest in the State.
“The raid was not only about cultism as we are also looking for drug peddlers, kidnappers, as these crimes are inter-related. We are doing this to ensure that Benin City is safe for all of us. To achieve this, we have to clean the street of all social vices.”
Adewale stated that Okpebholo gave the marching order to ensure that armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and other social vices that are bringing disrepute to the state become a thing of the past.
Also speaking, another member of the Squad, Eribo Emwanta, said the raid and sealing up of a hotel at Isihor is not witch-hunting, but a move to keep the state and its citizens safe.
“The hotel that was sealed at Isihor was not to witch-hunt anybody but a move to invite the owner to explain his own part as the hotel appears to be a place for hideout for suspected drugs peddlers, cultists, and other criminals.”
Similarly, Idemudia Noah, also said the exercise has shown that the governor is ready to keep the state clean, as he is pained over the killings which are denting the image of the State.
“We thank the Governor for giving us the opportunity to work with him to clean the State of all forms of criminality, and ensure a peaceful, united State where all will live and do business without fear”, he added.
The Squad which is against cultism and Kidnapping, is made up of the Military, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), and other sister security agencies.
Hunters, vigilante groups, and repentant cultists, among other critical stakeholders in the state, are also members of the Squad.
