Thursday attack by fleeing bandits not ISWAP – Edo government

Bisi ABASS

The attack at Ibillo-Igarra Road Junction, Edo state on Thursday was carried out by fleeing bandits and not ISWAP as reported.

Edo State Government made the clarification in a statement by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in the state, Chris Nehikhare on Saturday.

Nehikhare, said the state government’s position followed “a thorough investigation” by the state security outfits involving the Police, Nigerian Army, Edo State Vigilante Network, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“There is no evidence of ISWAP or its operatives in Edo State,” he said.

The Commissioner assured that the state government would continue to provide support to the security agencies in the state to tackle crime and criminality and also enhance patrols of the state’s borders to make the state most uncomfortable for the decimated bandits.

“The Edo State government restates its commitment to the safety of lives and property in the state and to the sustenance of a safe environment for citizens to go about their lawful businesses,” he added.

There had been reports that ISWAP had claimed responsibility for an attack on a police checkpoint in the state during which a patrol van was set ablaze.