To check kidnapping and banditry, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, on Monday, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed D. Abubakar, to reintroduce the disbanded road blocks to be manned by armed policemen and military personnel at all entry points of the state and across the country.
He said the effective mechanism of the road blocks will assist tremendously towards the fight against the spate of kidnapping and armed robbery activities threatening Edo and other states in the South-South zone.
Oshiomhole stated this at the stakeholders meeting held at Idia College, Benin on security matters and the proposed sale of Edo House in Lagos.
According to the governor, the road blocks by the police and military blocks at all the entry points of the state would put robbers, kidnappers and perpetrators of other heinous crimes out of business “as they sneak into our state to carry out their activities that have painted the state in bad light in recent times”.
He disclosed that 80 per cent of those arrested were migrant kidnappers and armed robbers who come to Edo State to steal and abduct their victims, stressing also that some of the collaborators of the illegal trades are mainly bankers, motor mechanics and car dealers; a development he said was based on confessional statements by some of the nabbed suspects.
He blamed media reports as worsening the ugly incident alongside the hasty attempts by families of kidnapped victims to pay ransom to the abductors.
He regretted that some security personnel have lost their lives in an attempt to rescue victims in either neighbouring states or within the state.
Oshiomhole also kicked against public demonstrations, protests and strike action by professional bodies, civil society groups and workers when their members fall victims to kidnappers.
The governor assured that the state government would continue to encourage security agencies to carry out their duties so as to reduce the high level of impunity by the hoodlums.
He lauded the security agencies for their pro-active steps at reducing the scourge which has also led to the arrest of several suspects and prosecution of hundreds of them.
Besides, the governor said the proposed sale of Edo House “is irreversible” because the property is lying waste with huge tax burden on the state without a corresponding rent increase in the past years.
In addition, speakers at the stakeholders meeting gave their nod for Oshiomhole to sell the controversial Edo House, insisting that past administrations sold similar properties and pocketed the proceeds.
They also threw their weight behind the governor because of what they tagged as his desire to develop the state, job creation for youths and empowerment schemes that have never been done by any government before the present administration.
The governor disclosed that currently, the annual total rent of the property stands at N34 million “which is never fully realised and often times cannot be met”, adding that the property had since lost its political and social status with the relocation of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory from Lagos to Abuja.
“Edo House has not been sold and it will not be sold secretly. In the interest of Edo people, particularly, the tax payers, that property will be sold in a transparent manner. Our decision to sell Edo House has not been reversed. The property was converted to a hotel within a short time and we tried to eject the tenants because even the rents are not being paid as when due, even with some legal issues. We are living painfully that individuals are defrauding us.
“ I am clear of my mandate and obligations. My mandate is to develop Edo State. I have decided to divest the property in Lagos and to return the proceeds in Benin City. Edo State needs a Convention Centre as a tourists’ destination. For Edo State to truly become a tourist destination, there are certain infrastructure that must be in place. There are several hotels in Edo State but there is no one that is considered a five-star hotel.”
While dismissing allegation that he plans to sell the imposing building to himself, Oshiomhole maintained: “ I am not an Angel but I am not a greedy person and I will never sell Edo asset to myself or my agent”.
