The Police Command in Edo State in conjunction with other security agencies in the state, on Wednesday, stormed a suspected kidnappers’ den along the Benin-Ore highway to ensure the safety of travellers along the road.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed DanMallam, led some senior and junior officers of the command in the joint operation.
A detachment of the MOPOL 5, Benin, led by the Commander, ACP Mohammed Rabiu, was also involved in the operation which took place at the notorious black spot of the highway.
Also involved was a team from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, led by the State Commandant, Mr Makinde Ayinla, and a squad from the 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, led by the brigade’s Operations Officer.
DanMallam who spoke with newsmen during the operation, said that “taking the battle to the kidnappers’ den” had become expedient in order to permanently dislodge the criminals.
According to the police commissioner, “the battle line is now drawn.”
DanMallam, who also supervised the clearing of the bush around the black spot, said that the measure was part of the strategy jointly agreed on by the security agencies in the state and the Edo Government.
He noted that the criminals took advantage of the bushes to perpetrate crimes, and said that, in view of this, the bush would be cleared and the area graded to about 50 metres from the road.
The police commissioner said that with the clearing of the bush, it would be difficult for the criminals to attack road users.
He also disclosed that so far, many arrests had been made along the road with several arms and ammunition recovered.
He also directed the immediate deployment of some personnel from the Special Anti Robbery Squad of the command to the area and urged the NSCDC to do same to complement the command’s efforts.
Some expended pellets and wrappers were recovered in the bush during the operation.
PUNCH
