BENIN CITY ––In his continuous effort to ensure safety of lives and property, Edo State Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor yesterday in Benin City presented a brand new Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and five other brand new Toyota Hilux Pick Up Vans to Edo State Police Command.

This is the first time in the history of the state that an APC had been purchased and presented to the state Police Command by the state government, just as the additional five pick up vans have brought to 35 the total number of such vans that had been provided by the state government to the command.

Handing over the vehicles to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Dega, the governor said his administration was desirous of equipping the police to enable them continue their task of combating crime.

Prof. Osunbor explained that the purchase of the Armoured Personnel Carrier was informed by the recent increase in crime situation such as bank robbery cases which last for hours, adding that with the availability of the APC, such bank robbery operations in the state would now be a thing of the past.

While advising the Commissioner of Police to ensure that the vehicles were put to judicious and effective use, the Governor also urged all local government areas in the state to assist the police by constructing 10 one-bedroom apartment barracks in the headquarters of each of the 18 councils especially as they now have over N6 billion as their share of the excess crude oil funds.

Responding on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State, Mr. Chris Dega thanked the governor for providing the Police Command with the vehicles which he described as “instrument of the job”.

He noted that this was the first time that an Armoured Personnel carrier would be provided for the police in the state and promised that the vehicles would be put to the best use, adding that the gesture would enhance crime prevention and control.

While asking corporate bodies and well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the gesture of the state Governor, Mr. Dega emphasised that security demanded the involvement of everybody.