Oshiomhole accuses police of aiding electoral malpractices

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN CITY— ANGRY Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday expressed disappointment over the role played by police officers in allegedly aiding of ballot box snatching, supervising electoral fraud and intimidating voters in the just concluded Esan North East Local Government election in the state.

The governor, who spoke at the swearing-in of the Council Chairman, Mr. Sam Oboh,  said: “I am embarrassed that the police have become electoral officials.”

Oshiomhole accused the Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenmen, and other PDP chieftains of unleashing their police escorts on the people of the area during the elections, just as he alleged that the PDP leaders recruited some Uromi born mobile policemen to intimidate voters and perfect arrest of APC leaders.

According to him, “what I heard yesterday and I am still investigating; if the reports are correct, then Nigeria should be put on notice that the police may well have chosen to become the INEC or EDSIEC officials and have chosen to overthrow those who are authorised by law to conduct elections.

“As a Nigerian, I am embarrassed that the police are involved in carrying electoral materials, arresting EDSIEC returning officers and coercing them into a police station and converting it into a collation centre supervised by policemen imported from Abuja and Lagos to subvert the will of the people of Esan North-East.

“As a civilised man, I felt ashamed that men in uniform at rather very senior level supervised this criminal act in the election.

“The Minister of Works and other federal functionaries, including assemblymen, used their exalted positions, taking unfair advantage of the police assigned to protect them and deployed them for election purpose, detaining returning officers and treating them as if they were prisoners of war compelling them to sign fake results.”

Oshiomhole said the law establishing the electoral commission was clear, noting that nowhere was it stated the police post was an electoral office, saying “Police officers were involved in converting a police post to an electoral centre. It is an embarrassment. No one will live forever but our reputation will live after us.

Edo State under my watch will not submit to intimidation. Anyone who is under the illusion that they can use the instrument of coercion to intimidate us are poor students of history. We are at our best when we are challenged. I want to appeal to the Federal authorities and the security agencies to remain faithful to their oath of office”.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), the police command in their wisdom chose to turn Esan North East to a police state, such that we had more policemen than  voters. If we have such number of policemen, how come we are at the mercy of kidnappers? We have such determination to deal with decent civilians and yet weak to deal with hardened criminals? I fail to understand that” he said.

To the new Chairman, Oshiomhole said, “it has been a long political road to travel and you have shown that you are indeed a long distance runner. You have shown that our commitment to the ballot box is unshakable. Our faith in the democratic process remains strong and our commitment to one man one vote remains strong.

“You will not have the resources to share to those who have worked for you; you will not have the money to share to those who were brutalised. But I pray God will use you to use the resources available to judiciously apply the resources of your local government and manage it creatively, fairly and justly to impact on the lives of the people. That is the only way you can pay your debts to the electorate”, he advised.

He noted that “having subscribed to the relevant oath of office, you have to be just to even to the opposition”, adding that is the promise of democracy.

Responding, the new Council Chairman, Mr. Oboh said forces of darkness can only suppress light for a short time and assured that the Council administration would work assiduously to develop the local government area.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/oshiomhole-accuses-police-aiding-electoral-malpractices/#sthash.mPXbWpS1.dpuf

Oshiomhole, PDP leaders battle over NDDC board nominees

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and other political leaders from the state have taken their battle to position the next representative of the state on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to Abuja.

Oshiomhole is locked in battle with leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Edo State, who are also divided among themselves, over the three nominees that have been forwarded to the presidency for consideration.

PDP officials, it was learnt, are arguing that the position that had in the last two cases been conceded by the presidency to Governor Oshiomhole should this time be reverted to the party for the purpose of empowerment ahead of the 2016 gubernatorial election.

However, the PDP chieftains have not agreed among themselves on who should be nominated, leading to a brewing war of intrigues among senior officials of the party.

President Goodluck Jonathan had, until now, followed the tradition set by late President Umaru Yar‘Adua in conceding the nomination of NDDC representatives to state governors.

Precedent
In 2009, when Governor Oshiomhole nominated Mr. Jude Ide-Isehen, at that time a member of Edo State House of Assembly, he was stopped by Senator Ehigie Uzamare, PDP Edo South, despite the support that came the way of the nominee from the two other senators from the state, Senators Odion Ugbesia and Yisa Braimah.

Oshiomhole was, however, to have his way with the support of the same Senator Uzamere to put another nominee, Mr. Dan Omoriodon in that board.
Following President Jonathan’s dissolution of that board because of bickering among board members, Governor Oshiomhole also successfully pushed the appointment of Mr. Henry Okhuarobo to the present board.

In recompense, Oshiomhole helped Uzamere to return to the Senate, making Senator Uzamere the first Benin senator to win re-election.

However, PDP stakeholders from Edo State, it was learnt, have now impressed it on the President not to again concede the position to Oshiomhole, saying that the President has been empowering their political enemy.

With Oshiomhole allegedly yet to declare his support to President Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambitions, there are suggestions that the president is inclining towards rebuffing Oshiomohole’s plea for a second term for Okharobo.

Likely candidate
Sources disclosed that PDP had forwarded three names for consideration. They are Levis Aigbogun, a former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly; Mr. Osahon Ahunwa, popularly known as Osahon Ugbesia, due to his close affinity to Senator Ugbesia.

The third is Mr. Chris Enekhirare, a close loyalist of Chief Dan Orbih, Chairman of the state chapter of PDP.
Ugbesia, it was learnt, is factoring the nomination of his man, Ahunwa, as the basis of his support for the alleged 2016 gubernatorial ambitions of the present Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen.

Mr. Aigbogun is on his part reportedly being pushed by the general sentiments of some party stakeholders, who are praising him for his loyalty to the party.

While the three contenders from PDP are jostling among themselves for consideration, the present representative, Okhua-robo is banking on the support from Governor Oshiomhole.

However, Oshiomhole’s latitude in the Senate, which had been through Senator Uzamere, it was learnt, has been curtailed due to what sources claim as the increasing gulf between Uzamere and the Edo State governor.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/oshiomhole-pdp-leaders-battle-nddc-board-nominees/#comment-1094287699

Oshiomhole accuses police of aiding electoral malpractices

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN CITY— ANGRY Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday expressed disappointment over the role played by police officers in allegedly aiding of ballot box snatching, supervising electoral fraud and intimidating voters in the just concluded Esan North East Local Government election in the state.

The governor, who spoke at the swearing-in of the Council Chairman, Mr. Sam Oboh,  said: “I am embarrassed that the police have become electoral officials.”

Oshiomhole accused the Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenmen, and other PDP chieftains of unleashing their police escorts on the people of the area during the elections, just as he alleged that the PDP leaders recruited some Uromi born mobile policemen to intimidate voters and perfect arrest of APC leaders.

According to him, “what I heard yesterday and I am still investigating; if the reports are correct, then Nigeria should be put on notice that the police may well have chosen to become the INEC or EDSIEC officials and have chosen to overthrow those who are authorised by law to conduct elections.

“As a Nigerian, I am embarrassed that the police are involved in carrying electoral materials, arresting EDSIEC returning officers and coercing them into a police station and converting it into a collation centre supervised by policemen imported from Abuja and Lagos to subvert the will of the people of Esan North-East.

“As a civilised man, I felt ashamed that men in uniform at rather very senior level supervised this criminal act in the election.

“The Minister of Works and other federal functionaries, including assemblymen, used their exalted positions, taking unfair advantage of the police assigned to protect them and deployed them for election purpose, detaining returning officers and treating them as if they were prisoners of war compelling them to sign fake results.”

Oshiomhole said the law establishing the electoral commission was clear, noting that nowhere was it stated the police post was an electoral office, saying “Police officers were involved in converting a police post to an electoral centre. It is an embarrassment. No one will live forever but our reputation will live after us.

Edo State under my watch will not submit to intimidation. Anyone who is under the illusion that they can use the instrument of coercion to intimidate us are poor students of history. We are at our best when we are challenged. I want to appeal to the Federal authorities and the security agencies to remain faithful to their oath of office”.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), the police command in their wisdom chose to turn Esan North East to a police state, such that we had more policemen than  voters. If we have such number of policemen, how come we are at the mercy of kidnappers? We have such determination to deal with decent civilians and yet weak to deal with hardened criminals? I fail to understand that” he said.

To the new Chairman, Oshiomhole said, “it has been a long political road to travel and you have shown that you are indeed a long distance runner. You have shown that our commitment to the ballot box is unshakable. Our faith in the democratic process remains strong and our commitment to one man one vote remains strong.

“You will not have the resources to share to those who have worked for you; you will not have the money to share to those who were brutalised. But I pray God will use you to use the resources available to judiciously apply the resources of your local government and manage it creatively, fairly and justly to impact on the lives of the people. That is the only way you can pay your debts to the electorate”, he advised.

He noted that “having subscribed to the relevant oath of office, you have to be just to even to the opposition”, adding that is the promise of democracy.

Responding, the new Council Chairman, Mr. Oboh said forces of darkness can only suppress light for a short time and assured that the Council administration would work assiduously to develop the local government area.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/oshiomhole-accuses-police-aiding-electoral-malpractices/#sthash.xlSdi7n3.dpuf

Kidnapping: Deploy soldiers on Benin-Auchi Road, NBA begs FG

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN — FOLLOWING incessant kidnap operations along the Benin-Auchi Road, Edo State, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Ekpoma branch, has appealed to the state Chief Judge, Justice Cromwell Idahosa, to prevail on the Federal Government to deploy soldiers along the route.

Meanwhile, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and the National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Dr. Felix Omobude, would on September 28, storm the ancient city of Benin for a one-week prayer session against kidnapping and terrorism in Nigeria.

The programme will take place at the Gospel Light International Ministries, GLIM, a.k.a. New Covenant Gospel Church, Benin.

A statement by the PFN President, who doubles as the President-General of the Gospel Light International Ministries, said other clerics expected at the event includes Bishop Mike Okonkwo, Dr. Uma Ukpai, Bishop Simeon Okah and others.

Omobude said that special prayers will be offered to God to help the nation overcome the persistent kidnapping of Nigerians, terrorism and other violent crimes militating against the country.

NBA made its appeal for the deployment of soldiers on Auchi road, following the kidnap of a High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, and other victims along the Benin-Auchi Road.

The Judge regained his freedom after spending 16 days in the hands of the kidnappers.

Chairman of Ekpoma Branch of NBA, Bola Adekanle, who made the appeal when he led the newly elected members of NBA on a courtesy visit on the Chief Judge, said the absence of men of the Joint Task Force along that road had made the place a haven for kidnappers.

He said: “We appeal to you, My Lord, to prevail on the state government and the Army to provide security patrol along that road so that the lives of our members will be safe.”

Criminal code amendment

Adekanle also called for the amendment of the Nigeria criminal code to include cyber crimes for easy prosecution of such cases.

He said: “We commend the Chief Justice for the bold step he has taken to amend the criminal procedure of Edo State to quicken the dispensation of justice. We are appealing to him to do the same in the criminal code because it is long overdue for amendment.

“There are some crimes in Nigeria today that are not captured in the criminal code, particularly the internet crime. There is no provision in the criminal code we can use to prosecute them.

“We appeal to him to also put machinery in motion to arrange for the amendment so that all these cyber crimes can adequately be captured and we will be able to prosecute those that are involve in the crime.”

Responding, Justice Idahosa thanked them for the visit and for upholding justice, assuring them that all their appeals would be looked into.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/kidnapping-deploy-soldiers-benin-auchi-road-nba-begs-fg/#sthash.41WB9mTf.dpuf

Good news for the Iyayi's Family

Dr Iyayi Efionayi's wives abducted in Benin City,about a fortnight ago regains freedom! They were both let off the hook late last night...

Local Government elections rigged in Edo State

Yesterday, I cried for my beloved nation Nigeria and Edo State in particular as I watch the fleeting away of the gains made in our electoral process by Edo State government. They have handed over to the PDP victory in the 36 states of the Federation in the next gubernatorial elections, the whole Senate and house of Rep and the States Houses of Assembly elections. This has started playing out in the Delta Senatorial bye- election. It will also happen in Anambra State. I am of the APC in Edo State but I can look in the Crystal Ball and tell all that in 2016 INEC will announce the winner of Edo Governorship elections which will be PDP in Abuja. First to do e non dey pain. Na so e be.
The Edo State "Independent" Electoral body yesterday conducted elections in Esan North East, while the results were been collated the Chairman of the body announced results in the State capital Benin City that Mr Sam Oboh who actually lost was the winner.

Edo IRS Board probes alleged N70m fraud by staff

By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN — Authorities of Edo State Board of Internal Revenue, IRS,  are investigating some staff of the board,  alleged to be involved in fraudulent activities to the tune of over N70 million in their motor licensing office located on Airport Road, Benin City.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board, Chief Useni Elamah, has lamented that the Internally Generated Revenue of the state has dropped to N1.3 billion due to failure of the Federal Government to pay allocation to states as at when due.

Elamah also described as shocking, the sudden death of the Permanent Secretary, Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Sunday Okundia.

Elamah, in a statement in Benin City, said: “Elder Okundia was a quintessential civil servant, who diligently served Edo State and brought to bear on any assignment, integrity, professionalism, and value for taxpayers’ money.

“His drive to professionalise the operations of Edo State Internal Revenue Service led to the setting up of the Staff Training School of which he was the Head/Principal Resource Person. The late Okundia was a man of character, humility and had passion to serve God.”

Vanguard learnt that following the alleged fraud that rocked the Airport Road office of the Board, the authorities had ordered all Motor Licensing Officers in the three senatorial districts of the state to present their transactions to auditors with a view to checking the fraudulent activities of some staff.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/edo-irs-board-probes-alleged-n70m-fraud-staff/#sthash.mhnzkVIY.dpuf

The Game is on; still on the sale of Edo House

Here is an analysis one of our very articulate young man, a member of this forum inbox me.I titled it the GAME is on. He said that what we are seeing in Edo State is Comrade Adams attempt/dream to become the Asiwaju Tinubu of Edo political landscape. He said Adams believe that he has conquered Chief Anineh and the Esama as Chief Ini-Umoru is no longer here. The only person that can stand up to him is the Omon N' Oba so he has cleverly brought him into this whole saga so he can rubbish that institution in the eyes of the people. He said at the end of the whole drama there will only be one 'Tinubu' of Edo State standing which of course is the Comrade.

My Response to a post on Edo Political Forum on the Edo House sales.

I agree that the Town Hall meeting was called to weep the people in line and to parade the Oba, the Crown Prince and other Traditional Rulers as having seconded the sales. But some of them spoke out of the main script/delivery line and you could see the shock in Comrade Adams face as they spoke. How can you say a man that we voted for, fought to rescue his mandate was magnanimous to condescend to our level to address us? That he should have used one of his lowly officers to address us. That he should go ahead and sell it, sell it, is it your father property? that you can ask him to sell it? For Christ sake we are in a Democracy not military era where anything goes. Anyway, I am waiting for them to start the process then I will throw a spanner into it. I will use every legal means to stop them in the COURT from selling that property.

The Governor held a town hall meeting today.

The Governor of Edo State Comrade Adams Oshiomhole held a Town Hall meeting today at the Idia College Hall. Many people from across the state attended including some traditional rulers. The issue of insecurity in the state was discussed and it was resolve that the police and the soldiers should start mounting road blocks to check every vehicle on the road. It was emphasized that all roads lead in and out if Edo State should be secured. Another issue that was discussed was the sale of Edo House in Lagos. The Traditional Rulers lead by the Benin Crown Prince gave a blanket approval to the governor. He even praised the Governor for condescending to the level of coming to talk to the people.

The proposed sale of Edo House

What will happen if Comrade Adams sells Edo House in Lagos and did not start nor finish the 5 star Hotel he proposed at the Ring Road before his tenure ends in about 37 months? Who are the people going to blame? The Comrade or our respected Oba? I think that his involving the Oba in the whole saga was in bad faith.

Still on the sales of Edo house in Lagos.

The other story making the rounds that they are not telling us. Today @ the town hall meeting, a Business developer, who I suspected was sent to come and fly a kite, suggested to a few of us that with the plan sales of Edo House to build a five star hotel at the Ring Road will also go with a long term the plan to vacate the Oba Palace and turn it into a major tourist attraction. He said, the state government tourism development project is well on course. I told him that the Benins will not take kindly to that plan.

The Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom gives the go ahead to the Governor to sell Edo House in Lagos.

Royal fathers, others back Oshiomhole on Edo House sale

The Oba of Benin, Omo n’Oba Erediauwa, the Crown Prince, the Royal fathers of Opoji and Okpella and many others stakeholders have thrown their weight behind the plan by the Government of Edo State to sell the Edo House in Lagos.

Speaking at a Town Hall meeting to address the twin issues of security and the proposed sale of the State’s Liaison office in Lagos, called Edo House, the Oba of Benin said the Edo House had become a liability and had lost its appeal.

Speaking through Chief Stanley Obamwonyi, the Esere of Benin Kingdom, the Oba frowned at the hullabaloo generated by the planned the sale and he told the Governor “go ahead and sell it”.

Also the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, HRH Ehenede Erediauwa said he fully supported the sale of the Edo House.

He said “my presence is to support the position of the palace, the position of the traditional rulers that the Comrade Governor who has taken the pains which he did not have to do. There have been governors who will not even talk to anyone but will do what they have to do.

“Here is a man of integrity and principle and he has the time to call this kind of meeting. I have been to Edo House in Lagos and it is nothing to write home about. It is just that we have a kind man who has the interest of the people at heart giving out all these facts which could easily have been given out by his officials.

“I am personally here to say sell it and invest the revenue in Edo State. Invest it in a five star hotel and Convention Centre which is very important because many big conferences are going elsewhere. When conference are being held Edo State is screened off. How many retreats have we witnessed in Edo State?”, he asked.

On his part the Onojie of Opoji, HRH Zaiki Ehidiamen 1 commended the governor for tabling the Edo House issue for discussion

“In the past, once the governor says the Government has sold this building that is the end of the matter, heaven will not fall. The House is no longer viable which means it must go. The Government should go ahead and sell it”, he said.

The Okwokpellagbe of Okpella, Alhaji AYE Dirisu who lamented the serious security situation in the state commended the governor for the initiative to reintroduce check points in the state.

“He said past government have sold government properties in the past and nothing was heard about it and wondered why this one is attracting so much attention. Let the government go ahead and sell the property and invest the proceeds in the state”.”

Earlier the Governor explained that the Edo House had become unviable and no longer serves the purpose to which it was meant.

He said “government has not sold the Edo House and will not be sold secretly. We decided at the level of the state government to look at the matter of Edo House and all the issues surrounding it and came to the conclusion that the Edo House be sold in a very transparent manner.

“Government properties including landed properties have been sold by previous governments without the benefit of advertising it. If we want to carry out self help we would not need to advertise it. It is consistent with our commitment to transparency and accountability”, he noted.

The Governor disclosed that government is holding discussions with the appropriate authority on the issue of re introducing check points to check insecurity in the state.

--
Peter Okhiria,
CPS to Edo State Governor
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole''''''''

Orhionmwon people's meeting at Abudu.

A meeting was held to the 20th October, 2013 by indigene of Orhionmwion Local Government Area. The meeeting was attended by eminient personaliites from the area include the President of Penticostal Fellowship of Nigeria Rev. Felix Omobude. All Progressive Party stawart, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Chief Solomon Edebiri. According to one Okunbor Jonathan Osas the  Elite Group today's meeting Resolution
After much analysis of the d Orhionmwon people's summit held yesterday at Abudu. The house reviewed comments made by our reps. 
1. That hon. P. Aisowieren have not done any project in Abudu since his election.
2. That the hon chairman have not completed the d transformer installation and have not asphalted any road in Abudu, that he should explain who he paid #2million naira to, etc. 
Our Resolution.
1. That a letter should be written to the local government chairman to fix the transformer before one week,
2. show us the asphalted road in abudu, explain why #2 million Naira was paid to past council officers or face at least a 100 man protest after one week from dis notice.
3. Write a letter to NNPC for them to tell us their contribution to Abudu as a host community.

Company CEO killed, security expert shot in failed kidnap bid

Sunnewsonline

October 20, 2013 • By Our Reporter
FROM TONY OSAUZO,
BENIN

A kidnap operation by unknown gunmen has ended in tragedy in Edo State, with the abductors killing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Thomas White Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Obiyan in the process. Besides, Dr. Onah Ekhomu, a private security expert who was travelling along with Obiyan in his car was shot in the hand by the gunmen.


It was learnt that the duo along with Dr Ekhomu’s wife and other aides in another car, were travelling home to attend this year’s annual Esan Professionals Conference when they were accosted by the gunmen between Ehor and Iruekpen along the Benin-Auchi Road last Friday morning, hours before the State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole signed the recently passed Anti-kidnap Law, which prescribed death penalty for kidnap offence. The gunmen who reportedly wore police bullet proof vests and jeans trousers were said to have told the victims that they were from headquarters and that they were under arrest.
It was further gathered that Dr. Ekhomu on realising that they had been abducted, quickly engaged the gunmen who shot him in the hand before he escaped into the bush. Mr. Obiyan said was said to have been shot severally by the gunmen before his body was abandoned. The body has since been deposited at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, where Dr. Ekhomu was also rushed to for treatment. Meanwhile, Dr. Ekhomu’s wife was said to have been rescued near Sapele by the Delta State security outfit, JTF.



Following the failed but tragic kidnap attempt, several concerned Edo citizens who spoke on condition of anonymity yesterday called for total war to be declared on kidnappers in Edo State with military personnel deployed to provide security on the Benin-Auchi Road. Renowned Lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome(SAN) and several notable Nigerians had been abducted at the spot between Ehor and Iruekpen.

Police operations and a harvest of kidnap

 kingpins’ arrests in Edo

on October 20, 2013   /   in Crime Guard 1:00 am   /   Comments

By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin-City

The Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr Folunso Adebanjo, has been a busy man, no doubt, since he assumed office due to the relentless activities of kidnappers in the state. He has lost many men during operations against kidnappers in Edo and neighboring states. Only last Tuesday, Balogun paraded 55 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers among them two alleged kidnap kingpins, Emmanuel Otono and David Osamu, who have been on police wanted list for some time. After the parade, Adebanjo jokingly told Sunday Vanguard in pidgin English, “As dem (kidnappers) no want make I rest, dem no go rest too”. He also paraded one Oyigbe whose house in Sabongida Ora was allegedly used by kidnappers to keep victims until they regain their freedom. Among the 55 were also alleged child defilers, cultists and car snatchers. A cache of ammunition was also recovered from them.

In this interview, the police boss vows to ensure that kidnapping is less lucrative in Edo just as he declares that the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, will apprehend more kidnap kingpins. Excerpts:

We observe that you have a harvest of kidnappers. How were you able to apprehend them?

*CP Adebanjo… security costs a lot of money

Well, it is our job to Nigerians and we will continue to do it. We have arrested some of the kidnap kingpins. These ones here are the people involved in the kidnapping of some persons in Benin City. I can tell you that the war against kidnappers is on-going. We are doing everything to make sure that the state is safe, we have a lot of them that have been arrested, some are being investigated.

If you recall, I told you that these evil people like Kelvin (suspected kidnap kingpin arrested in Delta State) who have terrorized our people for so long will only run but they can never hide. Look at some of them today and I can tell you that more will be arrested. The police, the SSS and the army  all working together to ensure that our state is safe. We are not relenting, the job of protecting our people is a tough one, but we are doing our best to ensure we work day and night.

It has been very challenging but I give God the glory for the enablement to cope. There’s no doubt, there was an upsurge for about a month but it has started to come down because of so many measures that were taken. I just finish organising a town hall meeting with the stakeholders in Edo State. This is just an interactive session for us to know how we’re faring and what other measures we can take to improve on our crime prevention strategies. The people are our paymasters, so we must hear from them to know how we’re doing in the battle against crime and criminality.

When you came to Edo, did you anticipate the challenges you face on kidnappers and even cultists?

Edo State, like most other states in the South-south, has its own security challenges.

I always remember what the Inspector General of Police told me when my posting came out. He said, ‘Ade go and fight crime and criminality in Edo State’  I had served as a Deputy Commissioner of Police at the Zonal Headquarters before I was posted to Edo. So I was aware of the challenges and I was prepared for them.

Apart from kidnapping, other forms of crime are said to have reduced in the state. What was the magic?

Let me first thank the Almighty God for crowning our efforts, for, without God, all we do is in vain. It involves a lot of hard work and dedication of officers and men under my leadership. We will continue to give our best to the good people of Edo State. Officers and men are working very hard to achieve a reduction in crime including kidnapping. Again, as you know, I am not an officer that sit in the office after giving orders. I move around to ensure that orders are implemented, I make sure that I take the lead because if, as CP, I am awake 24 hours, I don’t expect my DPOs to be sleeping. That is the secret.

You lost four officers who went to rescue Chief Mike Ozekhome when he was kidnapped. How do you feel each time you lose men in such operations?

As police officers, we are covered by insurance which takes care of the risks associated with policing. There are also entitlements for officers and men who die in the course of duty. But, to tell you the truth, I don’t eat each time I receive such news. It can be disgusting and devastating to lose a colleague because I go back to think that it could have been me.

That is why I feel sad each time people criticize the police ignorantly. We are doing our best for Nigerians and we will continue to do that to protect our people. But I can tell you I don’t like losing any of my officers on duty. That is a very terrible experience and feeling that you cannot imagine. Devastation should be the right description of how I feel. Unfortunately, that is the price we pay to keep Nigerians safe. One cannot get used to such untimely deaths.

How do you compare Edo and other states in terms of crime?

Like I said earlier, each state or the geographical area may share the same type of criminal tendencies. However, criminal tendencies may be different from one state to the other depending on so many variables. But you should also know that Edo is the gateway to the North, South and East; so criminals traverse here to commit crime.

*Arms recovered from suspects

That is why there is this meeting the Assistant Inspector General of Police usually calls to deliberate and share ideas and to exchange information. It may also interest you to note that I and my colleagues, especially CP Delta, share information and hold meetings on the kidnapping issue. They are just normal interaction between law enforcement/police agencies. Most criminals do operate from one state to the other, while some are transnational covering countries.

Have you ever regretted being a cop

I have no regrets being a cop. It is a very tasking profession. In fact, it is the most tasking profession in Nigeria. I had always wanted to be a cop as a young adult. I thought I could save the world from injustice. I was very idealistic then. It is a good job because one can actually make a difference by enforcing the law rightly. An average policeman works almost round the clock, not to talk of a commissioner of police.

What else would you have loved to be if you had not been a cop?

I would have been a businessman and I know that I would have been rich enough to set up an NGO. I still have a dream of setting up a place where I can feed hundreds of people every day and also set up a shelter for homeless people. My own essence of living is service to humanity.

Challenges

The challenge as it concerns the security of the state is usually logistics. Security costs a lot of money, including buying of sophisticated gadgets. The Federal Government, the Inspector General of Police and the state government are doing a lot to improve on logistics. We will soon see the effect of such intervention. If we can achieve this much with the resources now, then giving us more logistics will make us perform better.

We are aware that sometimes you lead your men to operations, don’t you get scared of being killed?

If one is committed, you really don’t think too much about your own safety. Of course, I do take precaution. This is what some of us have learnt from the Inspector General of Police MD Abubakar. It is leadership by example. I don’t get scared because we’re doing God’s work, which says, “Thou shall not kill”; ours is to secure lives and property, of all Nigerians and residents alike.

We are approaching the Yuletide season.  How prepared are the police to fight crime?

Everything is being done to reduce the incidents of crime and criminality. Ember months are known for increase in the rate of crime because people want to reap where they did not sow. We have drawn up a plan to checkmate them. Like we are winning the war on kidnappers, we will win other wars too. We are ready, any one found wanting will be dealt with. It is either you repent as a criminal or kidnapper or you don’t come to Edo State because if you do, you will face the music.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/police-operations-harvest-kidnap-kingpins-arrests-edo/#sthash.1X0JDtzp.dpuf

JTF troops rescue two kidnap victims

Posted by: Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt and Osagie Otabor, Benin City in the Nations Newspaper. 20/10/2013

•Arrest member of Kelvin’s gang

The Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta ‘Operation Pulo Shield,’ yesterday reported the rescue of two kidnap victims in Delta State.

The wife of Dr. Ona Ekhomu, a chartered security professional and President of Trans-World Security Company, who was kidnapped around Auchi, Edo State on Friday evening, was rescued in Sapele.

Also, the younger brother of Chief Great Ogboru, governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), was freed at Effurun, last Friday after he was abducted in nearby Osubi, Okpe LGA.

One of the kidnappers of Ekhomu’s wife, suspected to be a member of the gang led by the notorious Kelvin Oniarah, was arrested in Sapele after a gun battle with troops of the 19 Battalion of the JTF.

Two vehicles, a Toyota Prado Sports-Utility vehicle and a BMW salon car were recovered.

Mrs. Ekhomu, her husband and others were on their way to Irrua, Edo State for a social engagement when the gunmen struck around a notorious spot on the Auchi-Benin road where several persons including famous lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhoma, have been abducted lately.

Although Mr. Ekhomu escaped with gunshot wounds, his wife was taken away in his vehicle.

However, luck ran out for the criminals when they were accosted by men of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Sapele local government area of Delta state.

The criminals were overpowered by the troops, forcing them to abandon a Toyota Prado Sports-Utility Vehicle and the victims.

The arrest was made around the popular Eku Junction near Amukpe, raising speculation that the criminals were heading towards Kokori when the troops struck.

After rescuing the victims, the soldiers launched a manhunt at about 3am, culminating in the arrest of one suspect and seizure of an AK-47 rifle.

The BMW car was recovered when members of the gang reportedly made a spirited effort to pick-up their members who ran into the bush.

Confirming the report, the Commanding Officer, 9 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Koko, Lt. Col FS Etim, said the gang member was arrested when his men engaged the kidnap suspect in a shootout.

He said the criminals abandoned the suspect and the vehicle when his men closed in on them.

A security source close to the investigation that there was “strong evidence that the criminals are members of the Oniarah gang.

“From the preliminary investigation, we are convinced that they are members of the same Kelvin gang and we are sure they were heading to Kokori area, which has become a notorious den of kidnappers when our men struck,” the source added.

In a related development, troops of the 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Effurun foiled an attempt to kidnap the brother of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) leader in the state.

Ogboru was kidnapped by armed men in Osubi, Okpe local government area of the state and was about being whisked out of the state when troops of the JTF were alerted.

The suspects had already sneaked the victim through a back road from Osubi to the Warri/Benin highway when the troops, acting on a tip-off, swooped on them and freed him on Friday night.

The driver of the getaway cab used in the operation and another accomplice were arrested.

There are being detained at the Effurun Barracks at the time of this report.