Edo Govt Mourns Slain Doctor, Vows Crackdown On Kidnappers

Edo State government has described the abduction and killing of Dr Abu Momoh Tahir in Auchi as “unfortunate, painful and deeply regrettable.”

It assured the residents that the government would intensify its crackdown on kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state.

In a statement issued by the chief press secretary to the Governor, Dr Patrick Ebojele, the government acknowledged that kidnapping remains a serious security challenge but insisted that progress had been made in curbing the menace.

“The existential threat of kidnapping has become a worrisome issue that has taken more than the devoted attention of the government. But for our intervention and the quality of what we have invested in curbing kidnapping, the spate would have been more alarming than what we presently have,” he said.

The media aide highlighted the efforts of the Okpebholo-led administration in addressing security challenges across the state, noting that the peaceful and crime-free Yuletide celebration was a testament to its commitment to ensuring safety.

“The Okpebholo-led administration has been relentless in providing solutions to several security challenges. The peaceful and crime-free yuletide celebration is an indication of our commitment to making Edo State safe for all,” Ebojele stated.

According to him, security operatives under “Operation Rescue” conducted extensive bush-combing in Auchi, Agenebode, Okpella, Fugar and Owan areas before the festive season, leading to the arrest and prosecution of several suspected kidnappers.

“The exercise was successful, as the number of persons arrested and being prosecuted underscores the extent of the operation. Several kidnappers’ hideouts were destroyed, while some suspects were neutralised during gun exchanges in the forests,” Ebojele said.

He stressed that these operations have significantly reduced kidnapping incidents in the state, describing the killing of the medical doctor as a painful setback.

“We feel pained as a government that the kidnappers claimed the life of Dr Abu Momoh Tahir at a time we thought we had gotten to the safer corridor of our security engagement,” Ebojele added.

The state government has called on residents to cooperate with security agencies, particularly through intelligence sharing, emphasising that security is a collective responsibility.

“We condole with the family of Dr Abu Momoh Tahir over this avoidable death. We wish to assure the public that those who carried out this dastardly act will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law. They will not escape the long arms of the law,” he said.