By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State Government and State Police command said there is no any evidence to suggest that Islamic State’s West Africa Province, ISWAP was behind the attack on Police vehicle at Ibillo – Igarra road where the police lost one of his men and a vehicle.
This denial was made by the Edo state commissioner for Communication and orientation Chris Nehikhare While that of the police was made by ASP Iwegbu Jennifer, Deputy Police Public relations officer.
According to the government statement, it refuted the claims that it was ISWAP, that carried out the attack by fleeing bandits at Ibillo-Igarra Road Junction, where they burnt a Wabaizigan patrol vehicle on September 22, 2022 after a thorough investigation by the state security outfits involving the Police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Vigilante Network and Nigeria Civil Defence Corp.
The statement said “There is no evidence of ISWAP or its operatives in Edo State.
Government assures that it will continue to provide support to the security agencies in the state to tackle crime and criminality and also enhance patrols of the state’s borders to make the state most uncomfortable for the decimated bandits.”
‘The Edo State government restates its commitment to the safety of lives and property in the state and to the sustenance of a safe environment for citizens to go about their lawful businesses.”
On his part, the police command said
“The Command believe this was a mere reprisal attack on our men who had killed five of their gang members early last month, we lost an Operative and a vehicle. After a thorough investigation in collaboration with other Sister agencies, the Command wishes to state that the Command is ontop of the sitution as the CP has emplaced measure to that effect.”
