EBEN ENASCO REPORTING
All unauthorized gun proliferating Suspected Criminal elements within the Edo State Local Vigilante Network, awaits huge sanctions given the directive to Profile all members by the Assistant Inspector General Of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City, AIG ISAAC O. AKINMOYEDE.
The directive to sieve out Suspected criminals who have allegedly infiltrated their ranks, is a prelude to a reported incident of murder, arson and sporadic shooting at Ugonoba Community in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State.
According to a statement, CZ: 5300/ZN. 5/DFA/ZPPRD/VOL. 1/168 Dated June 18, 202, signed and made available to newsmen in Benin City, by DSP Tijani Momoh, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, It was gathered that, On Sunday, June 13, 2021, the Police received information that the house of the leader of Ugonoba Community was set ablaze by Suspected hoodlums over the alleged murder of a member of the said community.
The Statement Noted that, arising from the incident, Police Operatives from Okhauhe Division were immediately mobilized to the scene.
While the Divisional Police Officer was addressing the aggrieved youths of the community, members of the Edo State Security Network operating in the area Reportedly arrived in two Sienna buses and a Mercedes-Benz car and shot at intervals sporadically.
In the process, the DPO, two other Policemen and an unspecified number of civilians sustained gunshot injuries.
The AIG has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated and all those involved in the shooting incident be brought to book.
Lamenting the incident, during a cross section of Officers and Members of the Vigilante meeting, the Zonal AIG, Isaac Akinmoyede directed Commissioner of Police to profile all members of the Edo State Security Network in order to avoid a situation where criminals infiltrate their ranks.
He further warned that, the vigilante are not to maintain detention camps, stressing that, all suspects arrested should be immediately handed over to the Police for diligent investigation and possible prosecution.
He added that, the Police will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any vigilante member who involves himself in illegal duty or other criminal activities.
However, the AIG, while acknowledging the contribution of the vigilante members in aiding the Police in the fight against crime and criminality maintained that strict supervision and regulation of activities of the vigilante operating in the State should be carried out on Regular basis.
He informed Participants that, soon, training program, will be organized for the vigilante members to enable them, work hand in hand with the Police, especially in the area of intelligence gathering and operational duties.
With the AIG recent directive, it would be noted that, in the penultimate weeks, a cross section of members of the society had advocated for a proper profiling of members of the Vigilante Network operating in the state, which has now been corroborated.
Meanwhile, in attendance at the meeting, were the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Sectional Heads from the Edo State Police Command and the Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Security.