Edo State Taskforce Commander, SP Michael Anetor, has asked the public to provide the body with information about the activities of public officials, in line with the due diligence mantra of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
“The Edo State Taskforce was created to monitor the activities of the government employees that have been assigned to go out there to do government job.
“The taskforce is a body of security agencies that are in the Government House like the police, DSS, NSCDC, Vigilante.
“We have many committees that have been created by the government like the PSR Team, Government Pipeline Surveillance Committee, and the Committee on Protection of Government Properties.
“These are units been operated by civilians on behalf of the state government. We, of the taskforce, monitor the activities of these different groups. We also have those who collect revenue on behalf of the government.
“Whenever we get any information that they’re going beyond what the government has assigned them to do we go in to investigate the claim and if found wanting caution them.
“If it’s the other way round, that’s if the government officials come to report that people are showing unwillingness to obey government directives, we step in, and educate them on why they should comply.
“If they refuse to heed our advice, we arrest them and bring them to a mobile court inside the Government House for trial.
“The main duty of the taskforce is to police those government officials sent out to carry out duties, but are not doing what they are asked to do. That’s where our searchlight is. We checkmate their activities, to conform with government directives,” he said.
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On the brawl between a bus driver and some members of the Public Safety and Response Team on Wednesday evening at Ring Road, Benin City which led to the killing of a baby, SP Anetor recounted: “Somebody called me to report that my taskforce are having issues at Ring Road. I replied the person that as I am talking, I am in my office and my members are here with me.
“I had to send somebody to go there, and investigate what was really happening. It was discovered that those responsible are of the PSR Team.
“The report I got was quite different from the narrative out there. It is only the police that can investigate and confirm what happened. Different stories were being peddled around by onlookers.
“The truth of it is that something happened as a result of an argument between the PSR Team men, and a bus driver which resulted in the death of a baby. One of the PSR Team men who was apprehended by the mob, was rescued and taken to a nearby police station.
“He was later taken to the hospital for treatment. The mother of the baby is also in the hospital, while her dead baby is in the mortuary. Later the three other PSR Team members that were involved in the matter who escaped were arrested and brought to the police station.”
SP Anetor counselled that anyone that has any grievance against any government official on assignment or has any information to supply should endeavour to do so, via 07018014525, assuring that
their identity would be kept secret.
“Don’t be scared of anybody Or allow anybody to intimidate you as far as Edo State is concerned. Give me a call on whatever you have observed or is happening.
“I will respond promptly and give a solution to whatever it is. My phone number is not hidden. It’s all over the street. The keke operators, the bus drivers, the Okada riders etc all have my number,” he added.
