U.S-based Edo interest group condemns attack on Igarra by robbers

AGENE GODWIN, Benin

A United States of America-based group; the Igarra Progressive Union (IPU), Thursday, condemned Tuesday’s robbery attack in Igarra, headquarters of the Akoko-Edo local government area which led to the death of six persons.

The incident it would be recalled led to the death of some suspected robbers and while three others have been arrested.

A statement by the group signed by its President and Public Relations Officer (PRO) Anthony Akpeji and Oseh Godwin, the group also called on the government and police to strengthen vigilante groups in the area to enable them complement efforts of government security agencies.

“We send our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of the dead and wounded in the recent armed robbery attack on our community Igarra and we hope and pray that these criminals will be caught and brought to justice for their heinous crimes.

“We attribute this largely to the unconcerned attitude of the Government to provide prompt and adequate intervention through security agencies during the hostage. To our surprise, there is a military camp minutes away from Igarra that could be used if the police were held helpless. It was a case of emergency and even with the various frantic calls received by the security heads, all they kept saying was that they were re-enforcing.

“According to reports reaching us, the armed robbers came into town in two different vehicles attacking the police station where an officer was killed and some armouries were stolen in the process. Thereafter, they proceeded to Utua quarters of the town where the banking centres were located killing another police officer and three innocent passersby while the operation last.”

“We appeal to the Governor and the Edo state commissioner of police to strengthen the vigilante groups in the area as community policing cannot be left in the hands of the few.”