Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has ordered the indefinite suspension of the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) led by Kelly Okungbowa.
The development came following complaints about the group’s activities. Earlier in the week, officers of the PSRT reportedly attempted to seize the steering of a moving vehicle at the Ring Road area of Benin City. But the driver lost control, veered off the road, and rammed into a PoS kiosk. That led to the death of a young girl.
However, according to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government Umar Ikhilor, the taskforce has now been suspended indefinitely.
“It is hereby announced for the information of the General Public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo has ordered the indefinite suspension of the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) headed by Kelly Okungbowa,” Ikhilor said on Friday.
“This decision is occasioned by several complaints received by the State Government on allegations of extortion, harassment, and unruly behaviour by members of the Team.”
He restated the government’s committment 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”.
The SSG 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.
Meanwhile, the Edo PDP has described the move as comedic, alleging that the governor is treating the symptoms and not the real problem.
“This latest suspension over allegations of extortion, harassment, and unruly behavior, marks the fourth in a litany of suspensions that have besieged the Okpebholo administration in just three months in office, including the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie, and the Commissioner for Local Government Service Commission, Damian Lawani, both of whom were axed for ‘grave financial infractions’,” the Publicity Secretary,
Edo PDP Caretaker Committee Chris Osa Nehikhare.
“Unfortunately for Okpebholo, these suspensions are mere symptoms of the real problem. The real problem is that he is sitting on an illegitimate mandate.”