…as state govt condemns kidnap, dismisses insinuation of crime being politically motivated
Edo State Government has condemned the recent kidnap of 90-year-old Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen by some unknown gunmen, just as Governor Monday Okpebholo has ordered the rescue of the nonagenarian within the next 24 hours.
The state government also dismissed the allegations in some quarters that the kidnap of the nonagenarian could have been politically motivated, describing the “hasty accusation of the government as orchestrating this dastardly act or linking every incident to politics” as “most unfortunate.”
Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, who stated this in a statement on Tuesday, expressed worry about the “dubious allegations” being made against the state government concerning the kidnap incident “even when information about the act remains sketchy.
Disclosing that Governor Okpebholo had given immediate directive to the security agencies to collaborate and synergise with the ultimate objective of securing the rescue of Pa Joseph in the next 24 hours, the Commissioner expressed regrets that inspite of the state Government’s heavy investment in security infrastructure, which had enhanced alertness across the state, the abduction of the nonagenarian was a disturbing trend “at a time we thought such act was no longer possible.”
He however expressed the resolve of the Edo State Government to provide “watertight security across the state.”
Afegbua recalled that “just last week, the Special Court we set up to prosecute kidnapping cases sentenced four kidnappers to death for their nefarious activities that involved murder and kidnap,” adding, “We thought that pronouncement would serve as a deterrent to those who are notorious for crimes and criminalities.
“This latest abduction is a huge slap in the face, and the Governor has vowed to fish out the perpetrators soonest. Governor Okpebholo’s approach to combating insecurity is unequivocal. He will go the whole length to make Edo State safe for all irrespective of political persuasion and affiliation.”
The Commissioner called on any resident of the state with useful information to “please, avail the security agencies such information in order to track and arrest the culprit(s) of this condemnable act.”
He further restated that the “Governor has called on the security agencies to rescue Pa Joseph and safely return him to rejoin his family within the next twenty-four hours.”
Below is the full text of the Commissioner’s press release:
RE: ABDUCTION OF PA JOSEPH IDUORIYEKEMWEN.
The reported abduction of 90 years old Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen by unknown gun men is morally reprehensible and should be condemned in its entirety. More worrisome is the dubious allegation by some persons that this could be a politically motivated kidnap or abduction, even when information about the act remains sketchy. The hasty manner to quickly accuse government of orchestrating this dastardly act or linking every incident to politics is most unfortunate. A government that has continued to place emphasis on security should be appreciated and commended, and not this culture of making political insinuations to score cheap political points. What could possibly be the motivation for anyone to abduct such a father and grandfather?
Governor Monday Okpebholo has invested heavily in our security infrastructure and the level of alertness across the state and Benin City metropolis has been topnotch. This present act of criminality presents a disturbing trend at a time we thought such act was no longer possible. As a government, we remain undaunted in our resolve to provide water tight security across the state. The Governor has immediately directed the security agencies to work in collaboration and synergy to seek the release of Pa Joseph within the next twenty-four hours.
Just last week, the Special Court we set up to prosecute kidnapping cases sentenced four kidnappers to death for their nefarious activities that involved murder and kidnap. We thought that pronouncement would serve as deterrence to those who are notorious for crimes and criminalities. This latest abduction is a huge slap in the face, and the Governor has vowed to fish out the perpetrators soonest. Governor Okpebholo’s approach to combating insecurity is unequivocal. He will go the whole length to make Edo state safe for all irrespective of political persuasion and affiliation.
Therefore, anyone who has useful information should please avail the security agencies such information in order to track and arrest the culprit(s) of this condemnable act. The Governor has called on the security agencies to rescue Pa Joseph and safely return him to rejoin his family within the next twenty-four hours.
PRINCE KASSIM AFEGBUA
HON. COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND STRATEGY.
EDO STATE.
