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Edo Govt reacts, takes action against PSR operation in the state.
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Death of a 2-year-old girl ends PSRT in Edo State.
The Governor of Edo State, Senator Sunday Okpehbolo has suspended indefinitely the activities of the Public Safety Response Team(PSRT) headed by Kelly Okungbowa.
This suspension came in today Friday, 14th of March 2025 as a result of a series of complaints from the public especially over the death of a 2-year-old girl at Ring Road on Wednesday.
The PSRT is a team set up by the government to ensure public safety, maintenance of public order, protection of public infrastructure, and elimination of illegal activities like street trading and illegal parking in the state.
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Their effort in clearing Ihama, Edo State off those selling hard drugs, was an act well commended by the public but the recent mess they got into, has turned the public against them.
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According to an eyewitness, some officers of the PSRT were captured dragging the steering with a commercial bus driver whom many attested didn’t break any road law.
The public safety’s insistence and chaotic effort to take over the steering caused the driver to lose control and veer off the road.
The bus rammed into a nearby Point of Sale (PoS) kiosk where the mother and her little girl happened to be seated.
The collision didn’t give any of the victims an avenue to escape as it slammed them against a concrete slab, instantly killing the little girl.
“She had no chance of escaping. The bus slammed her and her mother against the concrete slabs, but she was the only one who died. It was terrible.” Said an eyewitness.
Immediately, an 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.
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Many individuals expressed their anger over the incident. One of them said, “This is not just an accident. It’s what happens when the government hands over revenue collection to untrained thugs instead of using a proper system. This could have been anyone’s child.”
Another said, “The carelessness of some Public Safety Response officials caused the death of this little child. You saw a driver, driving against traffic, you should have collected his particulars and probably served him paper tomorrow, but you are using the 16th-century method to the 21st-century problem.” He continued, “He was dragging the steering wheel with the driver, those around you are not safe, you are not safe as well. I know this is not what the government sent them to do.”
Both on social media and through the press, concerned human rights activists and members of the public called on the governor to take action over the case.
The Edo State governor taking cognizance of the call of his subjects issued a statement that suspended the PRS team.
The statement signed by Umar Ikhilor, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Edo State 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.”
This serves as a deterrent to other government agencies who abuse their power and do not walk in the dictate of their work.
The Edo State government has reinstated the trust the citizens have in him by this action against the PSR operatives.
