Edo State: Obaseki Orders Arrest of Oshiomhole for Stimulating Thugs to Attack Banks and Private Businesses
Edo state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has ordered the arrest of Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, the former state governor, for his alleged involvement in inciting thugs to attack banks and private businesses in Edo State due to naira scarcity.
Facts about the Attack
- The attack, which was carried out on 24th August 2020, saw thugs breaking into private businesses and several banks located around the state capital.
- The mob ransacked most of the banks, as well as vandalized properties and robbed customers of their money.
Obaseki’s stance on the attack
The governor of Edo state, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has strongly condemned the attack and, following a thorough investigation, has ordered the arrest of Mr. Adams Oshiomhole for allegedly mobilising the thugs to carry out the attack.
Witness statements
Many witnesses at the scene said that the Former Governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, was the brain behind the attack. Several of the victims who were robbed of their money also were able to identify some of the attackers who went on to reveal that they were instructed by Mr. Oshiomhole to carry out the attack.
Special Tasks Force investigation
The Special Tasks Force set up by the Edo state government has been investigating massive withdrawal of funds from victims' accounts at the banks and fraud transactions by the attackers. After gathering enough evidence, the Task force finally concluded that Mr. Adams Oshiomhole was the mastermind of the attack and recommended his arrest.
Mr. Godwin Obaseki has ordered the arrest of the former governor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole and is working closely with the Police and other security personnel to apprehend him.
We condemn in its entirety this attack on banks and private businesses in Edo State and hope the culprits will be brought to justice.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has ordered the immediate arrest of Adams Oshiomhole, the former governor of the state, for criminally mobilising thugs to attack banks and private businesses in the state with the aim of disrupting the availability of Naira currency.
Alarmed by the reports of disruption of commercial activities and violence by thugs hired by Oshiomhole, the governor directed the Commissioner of Police in the state to immediately arrest Oshiomhole.
The attack by Oshiomhole’s hired thugs came after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) banned some banks in the state from participating in the cash withdrawal components of Automated Teller Machines (ATM) services. The mischief and disruption of commercial activities throughout the attacks by the hired thugs also caused widespread panic in the state as citizens were unable to access the Naira from their accounts.
The government of Edo State will not condone any acts of brigandage, thuggery and civil disturbances such as those initiated and coordinated by the former governor and will take appropriate legal actions against those found guilty.
The Nigeria Police in Edo State have been directed by Governor Obaseki to provide adequate protection to citizens, banks and other critical infrastructure in the state. Furthermore, a special security taskforce has been set up to provide more permanent security and prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the state.
Governor Obaseki has assured citizens of the state of their safety and reiterated his commitment to seeing that law and order are maintained in Edo State. Additionally, he has made an assured statement on the availability of Naira in the state, declaring that it would remain safe and accessible to its citizens.
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