Security agents in Edo State have been mandated to round up all those involved in criminal activities of extorting motorists, blocking major roads and obstructing vehicular traffic as they would be made to face the full weight of the law.
The State’s Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Osa Nehikhare gave the warning in a statement he released in Benin on Sunday.
In the statement, Nehikhare commended the #EndBadGovernance protesters on their peaceful conduct during the nationwide protests, “as they have carried themselves responsibly in expressing themselves and letting their voices heard on the state of affairs in the nation.”
He noted: “In the last four days, the protesters had shown to be law-abiding, bonding with men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies who were on hand to ensure that law and order is maintained during the demonstrations.
“However, we will like to sound a note of warning to hoodlums and criminals who would want to take advantage of the protest to cause mayhem that security forces have been mandated to apprehend and arrest anyone caught disrupting public peace or perpetrating crime of any kind.
“We have received information that some persons have taken to blocking major roads, obstructing vehicular traffic and extorting motorists. Security persons have been mandated to round up all those involved in such criminal activities as they would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Once again, we enjoin law-abiding members of the public to go about their lawful businesses without fear, as government would continue to work to ensure the growth and progress in the State.”
Alltimepost.com had earlier reported that the #Endbadgovernance# protests which entered the day-3 on Saturday took a new dimension in Benin City with the protesters leveraging on roadblocks to extort money from motorists and pedestrians.
The protesters mounted roadblocks, mainly on major roads in the outskirts of Benin City where the motorists and pedestrians, in some instances were meant to part with some amount of money before they were allowed passage.
At Oluku, a community in the outskirts of the Ugbowo-Lagos Road axis of Benin City, the protesters in their large numbers mounted roadblocks, came with big pots and set fire on the centre of the road where they cooked their rice, eat and danced to the music blaring from a sound system mounted close to their gathering spot.
The protest was relatively peaceful in Benin City, with the joint patrol on major roads in Benin City, the Edo State capital by security personnel, including the police and army.
It was observed that while markets in the metropolis were open for businesses unhindered, prices of the goods and services had gone up, leading to complaints by traders and customers
It was also observed that there was relative calmness in the city.
