Assuring that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration will make the state unsafe for kidnappers and other criminal elements to thrive, Edo State’s Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu, stated that the government is stepping up security to combat crime and criminality.
Shaibu made this announcement following a meeting on Tuesday at the Igueben Railway Station in Igueben Local Government Area with the heads of security agencies and local leaders.
Other key government officials, including Senator Clifford Ordia, who represents the Edo Central Senatorial District, and Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun, speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, attended the meeting with the deputy governor.
Shaibu encouraged people of Igueben LGA to remain calm and urged the public to share pertinent information that will help security agencies in their efforts to conduct rescue operations.
He said, “We were here on Sunday for a fact-finding expedition, and today we are here once more to provide moral support to our security troops on the ground and to have another discussion to assess all of our operations since this kidnapping incident occurred and to see areas to improve on.”
“The fact that more people have been rescued and the number of people in need is declining is crucial. The emancipation of everyone is our goal. We want to express our gratitude to the security agencies for their efforts in ensuring that all captured are release. I appreciate everything the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Air Staff, and the Chief of Army Staff have done to make sure those who have been abducted are rescued unhurt.”
“We are doing everything to make sure we get these people out,” Shaibu continued. The Governor has requested us to review our security strategy and boost the morale of the troops on the ground.
He further noted, “The state government has not been reached for ransom.” Edo will be too hot for these people as they will never have any base here in the state. To make the state safe, we have worked hard and will keep working hard. The kidnappers are under pressure, and each day more victims are set free.
At a press briefing in Benin City, the public relations officer for the Edo State Police, Chidi Nwanbuzo, stated that another victim of the train station attack has been rescued and released to the family, bringing the total number of people rescued to seven.
“Just yesterday, another victim of the Igueben Train Station kidnapping was rescued and released to her family members living in Delta State,” stated Nwanbuzo. The victim is a female whose family resides in Delta State making a total of seven victims that have been rescued so far.