Redeploy Edo CP–Residents appeal to IG

AKHERE Godwin, Benin

RESIDENTS in Benin City, the Edo State capital have called on the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Solomon Arase, to redeploy the state Commissioner of Police, Samuel Adegbuyi over what they termed ‘incompetence.’

Respondents who spoke with our correspondent in the wake of renewed rise in crime and cult clashes which have left no fewer than 25 dead, said it appears that the system has been compromised, just as they pointed out that since assuming duty as the CP in Edo, Mr Adegbuyi has not ‘shown that he has the capacity to fight crime and other sundry vices the way his predecessor did.’

They further stressed that because of what now seems to be the failure of the CP in discharging his responsibilities, same incompetence now thrives within the rank and file of the force.

Ade Oji, a petty trader at the New Market, said: “You cannot believe that we have policemen in Benin City again. Before this CP was brought, crime was no more in the state, kidnapping, robbery reduced but now these boys have been killing themselves for over two weeks now without the man doing anything.

“See the hotel boy that was mysteriously killed in police custody, the man has not done anything yet, many more. We are appealing to the IGP to please recall him to Abuja.

Another respondent, Issi Uzi, a sales boy on the Oba market road, described the situation as pitiable saying: “I want to call on IG to redeploy the CP. I even heard that the IG is from this state, he should call the man to order or take him back to Abuja.

“Since he came, crime has been rising and cult clashes more rampant than before, residents now live in fear. Before when you call DPO’s lines they will answer but now, they won’t even answer you. The whole thing is going bad.”

Systems analysts, Cajetan Uba said: “I am not feeling the impact of this guy at all. We used to see the former CP and DPOs parading the streets, but now, we can’t even recognise this new CP. He is not up and doing at all. Things are going bad, crime has greatly increased and the authorities in Abuja must do something very fast.”