Okpehbolo suspends safety response team over two-year-old girl’s death – Punch Newspapers

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpehbolo, on Friday suspended indefinitely the activities of the Public Safety Response Team headed by Kelly Okungbowa.

There have been several complaints about the activities of the body, with the latest resulting in the death of a two-year-old girl on Wednesday.

At Ring Road in Benin, officers of the PSRT attempted to seize the steering wheel of a moving vehicle, causing the driver to lose control.

The bus then veered off the road and rammed into a roadside POS kiosk where the young girl and her mother were standing,  killing the child instantly.

The enraged crowd at the scene reportedly turned on the PSR operatives, beating them before taking them, along with the child’s lifeless body, to a nearby police station.

In a statement signed by Umar Ikhilor, he said the 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 statement read, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered the indefinite suspension of the Public Safety Response Team headed by Kelly Okungbowa.

“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.”