By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has ordered the indefinite suspension of operations of the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) headed by Mr. Kelly Okungbowa, alias Ebo Stone, in the state.
In a statement on Friday issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., he said the decision is occasioned by several complaints received by the State Government on allegations of extortion, harassment and unruly behaviour by members of the Team.
“The Government remains committed to upholding law and order and will not tolerate any deviation from the original purpose for which the Team was set up, which is to help maintain public order, assist in protecting public infrastructure and curb illegal activities like street trading and illegal parking in our communities,” he said.
“A thorough review of the Team’s structure and operations, particularly recruitment processes and training of its personnel will be conducted to ensure that all government-sanctioned activities in the State reflect the highest standard of professionalism, fairness, orderliness and respect for human dignity,” the SSG added.
The suspension of the PSRT operations in Edo came barely 48 hours after a fatal motor accident on Wednesday at the Ring Road area of Benin involving a commercial bus ramming into some pedestrian, ostensibly to evade arrest by members of the PSRT, which led to the death of a two-year-old child.
