By Valentine Amanze
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has directed that an investigative panel be set-up to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the fracas between men of the Nigeria Police and youths in Upper Igun area, in Oredo Local Government Area of the state.
Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Paul Ohonbamu, disclosed this after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the Chairman-in-council and Governor of the State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, at the Government House, in Benin City, Edo State, on Wednesday.
According to Ohonbamu, “The Chairman-in-Council expressed sadness over the fracas between the police and civilians in Upper Igun and called for calm over the fracas. The governor, who presided over the executive council meeting, mandated the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Osarodion Ogie, to set up an investigative panel to be headed by a reputable retired judge.
“Other members of the panel will include a retired police commissioner, retired senior army officer and members of the civil society. The investigative panel will ascertain the cause of the crisis, ensure that justice is done and prevent future occurrence.”
Similarly, Ohonbamu said that after the State Executive Council reviewed the state government’s response to the incidence of gas explosion in Ugbo area in Benin City, the governor directed the SSG to immediately set up an investigative panel to scrutinise various fire incidents in the state.
He said, “The investigative panel on fire incidents in the state will be tasked to unravel immediate and remote causes of fire incidents, the state’s response capabilities and further prevent other similar incidences in the state.”
He said that the committee would be headed by a retired judge and other members would be drawn from various strata of the state.
Ohonbamu said that the governor charged the Head of Service (HoS), Mrs. Gladys Idahor, to commence the planned capacity development programme for civil servants in the state.
