Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has indefinitely suspended the operational activities of the state Public Safety Response Team, PSR days after an official of the PSR allegedly dragged steering wheel with the driver of a moving bus – leading to an accident that killed a two-year-old baby in Benin City, this, the State Coordinator of the PSR, Kelly Okungbowa aka Ebo Stone reacted and said he supported the governor for the PSR suspension.
Some residents who witnessed the cause of the accident on Wednesday, said, one of the PSR officials simply identified as Abacha was seen dragging the steering wheel of a moving vehicle with the bus driver, and suddenly, the vehicle veered off the road and snatched the two years old baby girl from her mother who is a POS operator and smashed the little girl on the road pavement.
Edo State Government in a statement signed and made available by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, stated below thus:
“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 (aka) Ebo Stone.
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.
The Government remains committed 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.
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 of professionalism, fairness, orderliness and respect for human dignity”, Edo State Government stated.
Reacting to the suspension, Kelly Okungbowa also known as Ebo Stone in a statement hours after the governor’s action expressed his gratitude to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, for his commitment and dedication to providing better leadership for the state.
The statement added that; “speaking after the government announced the suspension of the Public Safety Response Team, Comrade Okungbowa stated that he fully supports the governor’s decision and will continue to stand by the administration in its pursuit of a New Edo Rising.
He also extended his deepest apologies to the people of Edo State for the unfortunate incident that led to the tragic loss of a young girl’s life.
He emphasized that with the governor’s directive for a thorough review of the team’s structure, recruitment, and training processes, he strongly believes the restructured unit will be better equipped to carry out its duties professionally and in alignment with the government’s policies.
Furthermore, Comrade Okungbowa expressed his appreciation to the governor for the opportunity to serve as the State Coordinator during the team’s operations before its suspension”.
We had reported that the Edo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the killing of a 2 years old baby after a bus driver rammed the bus into a group of pedestrians while running away from the Edo State Public Safety Response Team, PSR at the highly populated Ring Road in Benin City, this, the State Coordinator of the PSR, Kelly Okungbowa aka Ebo Stone apologized to the bereaved family and promised to take action against the PSR official who allegedly gave the bus driver a chase.
The Police in a statement on Thursday said the PSR official was almost lynched to death by angry mob but he was rescued due to the quick intervention of the men of the Esigie Police Division.
Adding that the tragic incident involves a white Vannette bus with registration number: BEN 406 YA ramming into some pedestrians, ostensibly to evade arrest by members of the Edo State Public Safety Response.