The Security Situation Room has commended the Edo State Judiciary/Edo state ministry of justice and the Edo State Government for what it described as the prompt prosecution and conviction of four persons convicted over the daylight kidnapping at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City.
The commendation followed the conviction of the four accused persons by the Edo State Special Criminal Court in connection with the kidnapping incident, which attracted public attention in the state.
In a statement issued in Benin City, the Convener of the Security Situation Room, Barrister Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq., described the swift handling of the case as an example of the justice system’s response to violent crimes.
The Security Situation Room also commended the investigators and security personnel involved in the case, particularly officers of the Edo State Police Command’s Intelligence Response Team, Violence Crime Response Unit, and Anti Kidnapping and Cybercrime Section.
The statement specifically acknowledged, The Edo state ministry of Justice, CSP Idachaba, CSP Godspower Osagie and SP Cletus Akaaka, who were identified in connection with the respective investigative units involved in the case.
According to Ogbankwa, the collaboration between the investigators and prosecutors contributed to the successful prosecution of the case and the eventual convictions.
He further called for stronger security measures by business owners and government institutions across Edo State, particularly through the installation and maintenance of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
Ogbankwa said the case had demonstrated the importance of CCTV footage in criminal investigations, noting that recorded footage can provide forensic evidence capable of assisting investigators in identifying suspects and establishing the circumstances surrounding a crime.
He therefore urged business owners to install CCTV cameras at their premises and called on the Edo State Government to provide similar surveillance systems in government buildings and other public facilities.
The Security Situation Room said improved surveillance, effective investigation and strong collaboration between security agencies and prosecutors would strengthen efforts to combat violent crime and improve public safety in Edo State.
