Edo Central Senator, Ikpea lauds Okpebholo, police exploits on insecurity

Senator Joseph Ikpea representing Edo Central Senatorial District has hailed Governor Monday Okpebholo and the police for recent breakthroughs against kidnapping and cultism in Edo State.

The lawmaker backed the governor’s plan for speedy trial of suspected kidnappers and cultists, saying swift justice would send a strong message to criminals.

Senator Ikpea particularly praised the rescue of a woman abducted at Benin City’s Vegetable Market and the arrest of a suspected member of the gang.

He described the operation as proof of the government’s resolve to rid the state of violent crimes.

The federal lawmaker said this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City.

The senator also commended security agencies for their prompt response, noting that the successful rescue has boosted public confidence in the state’s security architecture.

According to him, Governor Okpebholo’s directive to security operatives immediately after the incident was instrumental to the operation’s success.

“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 senator noted that the development has shown criminal elements that there is no hiding place for them in Edo State.

He pledged continued collaboration with the state government and other lawmakers to strengthen security across the state.

“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”, he reassured.

The senator further urged residents to make security a collective responsibility by providing useful information to law enforcement agencies.

“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”, Senator Ikpea stated