Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State Police Command, has called on the residents of the state to remain calm assuring them that the situation is under control.
The Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dankwara gave the assurance following the renewed rival cult war that claimed the life of the staff of Independent Television/Radio on Christmas Eve in Benin.
The Commissioner, while speaking through the Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said that the Command is aware of the secret cult fighting and the killings in the state mostly in the Benin metropolis in the recent times that took the lives of innocent citizens particularly that of Mr Hillary Nosa Odia, a staff of Independent Television and Radio, Benin City.
Commissioner of Police, Dankwara added that the Command is sincerely and vigorously fighting this crime and wishes to put it to an end for the state to be peaceful for all.
He said the command’s efforts in fighting against secret cult members or to stop the killings are shown in the lost of one of its personnel during operation in the Ugbowo axis on the 24th of December, 2023.
He said nevertheless, a sizeable number of arrests of the secret cult members of various cult groups have been made in different locations in the state and will soon be charged to court for prosecution.
He appealed to the citizens of the state to remain calm and go about with their Christmas celebration.
He reiterates the command’s commitments and readiness of officers and men to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the citizenry and residents of the state during this yuletide period.
He, however, solicited the citizens’ participation in giving out information to the Police as modern and civilized policing entails citizenship and community policing.