By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City.
Homeland Security Network , a Vigilate group, has debunked alleged assault and manhandling of any Police man in the viral video , as regards the arrest of a suspected die-hard criminal/kidnapper, Ikpefua Idowu, in Oluku axis of Edo State
Speaking to The Nigerian Post, leader of the Home land Security Network, John Osasere Ohonba, said , Ikpefua Idowu, the suspect was arrested by his men following a monitored surveillance for two weeks.
Osasere Ohonba, said, “the arrested suspect, was apprehended by HOMELAND SECURITY NETWORK OFFICERS following a monitored surveillance for two weeks before luck ran against him, and he was handed-over to the DSS including a locally made pistol and bullet.
He said, “The police officers and others at large including one of the confessed suspect came to HOMELAND SECURITY NETWORK OFFICE with two Lexus jeeps with registration numbers ( GWA 130 GX and UGH 34 AH ) for the release of the criminal suspect who has been handed-over to the DSS with a negotiation of #300,000 and a swap of the local made gun to a toy gun, thinking the suspect was still in the vigilante’s custody.
“The police officers got annoyed when the commander of the vigilante asked them to leave his office as it was very obvious, they have been backing-up criminals in their jurisdiction.
” The police officer got offended and attacked the commander which made the commander to put a call to DSS to come back and witness what was happening at his office.
“As soon as the other people that came with the police officers heard about the commanders order, they ran away , and when the police officers tried to escape as well, they were hand-cuffed before the arrival of the DSS and it was during the time of the event, the commander asked his officers to search the vehicles they came with, and behold the drugs were found in their Lexus car with which they came to the vigilante office.
” We never manhandled any Police man, they were only arrested and handed over to DSS for their role in trying to cover up a criminal before the law.
Reacting to the alleged attack on the Police men, the Police Public Relations Officer of Edo State Command, SP KONTONGS BELLO in press release, said,
“The attention of Edo State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video where two Policemen (Drivers) in mufti attached to State Highway Patrol, Edo State Police Command, were handcuffed, physically brutalized and tortured by members of Vigilante Group led by one John Osasere Ohonba alias Awilo.
“Facts of the incident is that the two Policemen went to Vigilante office with one Lucky and his girlfriend to merely seek the whereabout of Ikpefua Idowu who was arrested by Awilo and his group.
It is necessary to further state that the mission of the Policemen was merely fact finding which Awilo and his group considered a distraction and unfortunately unleashed unnecessary attack on them.
Not minding the fact that the policemen introduced themselves and were identified by Awilo and his group, Awilo did not only order that the Policemen be physically assaulted, it was evidenced in the viral video that Mr. Awilo who wore a red jacket initiated and participated actively in the attack.
It is pertinent at this juncture to convey that it is a known fact to Mr. Awilo and his group that the vehicle, Lexus RX330 SUV captured in the viral video belong to Lucky, a brother to the detained Ikpefua Idowu in the custody of Awilo and his Vigilante Group on whose behalf the Policemen went to sort for.
It is incontrovertible therefore that the items allegedly found in the vehicle wouldn’t have in any way belong to the Policemen as falsely projected in the viral video. It belongs to Lucky.
In light of the foregoing, the actions and claims of Mr. Awilo and his group is considered unacceptable and a bid to falsely vilify and disparage the Command. However, it is the position of the Command that the claims of Mr. Awilo and his gang in the viral video be discountenanced and considered as mere fabrications.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State has ordered investigation into the incidence. He concluded.