By SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN CITY— FOLLOWING the killing of a popular Benin musician, Omoregbe Okpenye (Aka Bayo Ade), by suspected kidnappers and other violent crimes in the state, the Edo State Police Command, yesterday, deployed more battle ready mobile policemen to the streets of Benin. It also stationed Armoured Personnel Carriers, APC, at strategic points in the city.

The killing which occurred on Sunday, came barely one week after four persons were killed during the kidnap of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo State, PDP, Elder Tes Sorae.

Also, the Provost of the College of Agriculture, Iguoraki, Edo State, Prof. Julius Obahayuje, was abducted, weekend, by armed men suspected to be kidnappers.

The Edo State Police boss,  Mr. David Omojola, who paraded eight suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, promised  to arrest the perpetrators of the dastard act, saying that police patrol had increased in the state. He warned parents to monitor their children as the command was out to rid the state of kidnappers and all those involved in violent crime.

Reacting to the killing of  Okpenye, Commissioner Omojola who described the tension in the state as sad and unacceptable, said while parading some suspected kidnappers and criminals,  that three policemen had been killed in the last two weeks. He added that the police had intensified efforts to protect the lives of residents of the state.

He said: “We want to say that we are aware of the anxiety created by the kidnapping of prominent indigenes of the state in the last ten days. I want to say that no fewer than five lives had been lost. We lost three policemen, one in an encounter with robbers. I want to reiterate that we see what is happening as a challenge.

“We are conscious of our responsibilities to protection of lives and property. We will do our best to make sure the perpetrators are brought to book. Criminals don’t operate in isolation. I appeal for information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of these criminals. There will be increase of police presence now in the state with a view to arrest the challenges we face now. We must get them. All we ask for is for patience.”