The Edo State Government on Tuesday has described the abduction and killing of Dr. Abu Momoh Tahir in Auchi as “unfortunate, painful and deeply regrettable,” assuring residents that the government would intensify crackdown on kidnappers and other criminal elements in the State.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, the government acknowledged that kidnapping remains a serious security challenge but insisted that significant progress has been made in curbing the menace.
“The existential threat of kidnapping has become a worrisome issue that has taken more than the devoted attention of government.
“But for our intervention and the quality of what we have invested in curbing kidnapping, the spate would have been more alarming than what we presently have,” the statement said.
The government highlighted the efforts of the Okpebholo-led administration in addressing security challenges across the state, noting that the peaceful and crime-free yuletide celebration was evidence of its commitment to ensuring safety.
“The Okpebholo-led administration has been relentless in providing solutions to several security challenges. The peaceful and crime-free yuletide celebration is an indication of our commitment to making Edo State safe for all,” Ebojele stated.
According to the government, security operatives under Operation Rescue conducted extensive bush-combing operations across Auchi, Agenebode, Okpella, Fugar and Owan areas before the festive season, leading to the arrest and prosecution of several suspected kidnappers.
“The exercise was successful, as the number of persons arrested and being prosecuted presently underscores the extent of the operation. Several kidnappers’ hideouts were destroyed, while some suspects were neutralised during gun exchanges in the forests,” the statement said.
The government stressed that these operations have significantly reduced kidnapping incidents in the state, describing the killing of the medical doctor as a painful setback.
“We feel pained as a government that the kidnappers claimed the life of Dr. Abu Momoh Tahir at a time we thought we had gotten to the safer corridor of our security engagement,” Ebojele added.
The state government called on residents to cooperate with security agencies, especially through intelligence sharing, noting that security is a collective responsibility.
“What we expect from members of the Edo public is a show of solidarity and cooperation, particularly in the area of intelligence sharing with men of Operation Rescue and other security agencies. Security concerns are a function of both the government and the people,”
The government also condoled with the family of the late Dr. Abu Momoh Tahir, assuring that those responsible for his killing would be brought to justice.
“We condole with the family of Dr. Abu Momoh Tahir over this avoidable death. We wish to assure the public that those who carried out this dastardly act will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.
They will not escape the long arms of the law,”
