Edo police loses officer, vehicle to fleeing bandits

By: Idris Umar Momoh

Edo State Police Command weekend said it lost an operative and a vehicle to suspected fleeing bandits in Akoko-Edo local government area of the state.

The command's Deputy Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Jennifer Iwegbu in a statement, said the bandits carried out the reprisal attack after the command's operatives killed five kidnappers in the local government area last month.

DailyMonitorngr reports that ASP Jennifer said the attack happened on September 22, 2022 at Ibillo-Igarra Road Junction of the locality while the police officers were on a bush combing mission.

Daily Monitorngr also reports that the bandits' attackat the Edo state community came three over months after the Owo attack, where over 50 worshippers were killed.

 

She added that the anti-crime patrol team of the Ibillo division attacked and killed the five kidnappers on August 14, 2022 at Ughoshi- Afe bush, Ibillo in Akoko Edo LGA,  Edo State.

She however, refuted the allegations that the police operatives were attacked by Islamic State's of West Africa Province (ISWAP).

According to her, in continuation of our ongoing bush combing strategy to rid the state of heinous crimes, especially kidnapping, Edo State Police Command refutes claims that it was ISWAP, that carried out the attack by fleeing bandits at Ibillo-Igarra Road Junction, Edo State on 22/09/2022.

"We would recall that the anti-crime patrol team of the Ibillo division, Edo state attacked and killed five kidnappers on 14/08/2022 at Ughoshi- Afe bush, Ibillo in Akoko Edo LGA,  Edo State. 

"The team was ambushed by ravaging bandits while on another bush combing mission on 22/09/2022.

"The Command believes this was a mere reprisal attack on our men who had killed five of their gang members early last month, we lost an Operative and a vehicle. 

"After a thorough investigation in collaboration with other Sister agencies, the Command wishes to state that the Command is on top of the situation as the CP has emplaced measure to that effect.

"The Command’s tactical teams led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Operations are currently carrying out an Operation with a view of bringing the assailants to book. 

While noting that efforts are being intensified by the command who  is in hot pursuit of the trail of the bandits, however, added that the commissioner of the command, Abutu Yaro, commended  the gallantry of the operatives.

She said the commissioner  admonished the operatives to keep up the morale and not be dampened by what has happened.

The commissioner further warned criminals to prepare for tougher times in the days ahead or flee the state for good.

On his part, the  Edo State Government claimed that the bandits burnt vehicle belonging to the state security outfit called Wabaizigan 

A statement by Hon Chris Nehikhare, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation

also added that there is no evidence of ISWAP or its operatives in Edo State.

"The Edo State Government refutes claims that it was ISWAP, that carried out the attack by fleeing bandits at Ibillo-Igarra Road Junction, where they burnt a Wabaizigan patrol vehicle on September 22, 2022 after a thorough investigation by the state security outfits involving the Police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Vigilante Network and Nigeria Civil Defence Corp.

"There is no evidence of ISWAP or its operatives in Edo State.

"Government assures that it will continue to provide support to the security agencies in the state to tackle crime and criminality and also enhance patrols of the state’s borders to make the state most uncomfortable for the decimated bandits.

"The Edo State government restates its commitment to the safety of lives and property in the state and to the sustenance of a safe environment for citizens to go about their lawful businesses", he added.