“Pickpockets” convert Benin City ring road into hue and cry robbery den As Oredo youths demand sack of Edo Commissioner for Environment.

“Pickpockets” convert Benin City ring road into hue and cry robbery den As Oredo youths demand sack of Edo Commissioner for Environment.

* Insecurity persists , youths insist on Barr Nosa Adams’ resignation, hoodlums disguise as conductors, phone sellers.
* Commuters stranded, in tears.
*Concerned Oredo youths say Mission Road, Akpakpava, Forestry, Ugbague worst hit. Police say detectives deployed to fish out hoodlums

There is panic among commuters and traders as pickpockets and miscreants have allegedly taken over Ring Road in the heart of Benin City, Edo State, with Mission Road, Akpakpava Road, Forestry and Ugbague areas the worst hit.

Residents who spoke to our correspondent described the area as dirty, unsafe and abandoned, with refuse heaps dumped on walkways and stinking to “high heavens”.

A group, Concerned Oredo Youths, led by Comrade Glory Osagiobare, has called on the State Commissioner for Environment, Barr. Nosa Adams, to resign with immediate effect over alleged failure to keep the state clean, Comrade Glory Osagiobare who doubles as Edo State Chairman of Grassroots Farmers, Niger- Delta region, said We are tired of a Commissioner who is not working but relying on propaganda to stay in office, with ring road very dirty and stinks to high heavens, pickpockets stealing phones everyday from people ”

“We are calling on Governor Monday Okpebholo to sack Barr. Nosa Adams for nonchalant interest to the cleanliness of the state, particularly Oredo and Ring Road where refuse dumps are not evacuated,” Comrade Osagieobare said.

According to him, the dirt on the walkways has provided cover for criminals to operate freely in broad daylight and at nightfall

The youths alleged that no fewer than 60 persons have been robbed in the last few weeks by pickpockets operating around Ring Road uninterrupted or arrested

They said the hoodlums disguise as bus conductors and GSM handset sellers canvassing for customers to monitor unsuspecting commuters and pick money from their bags.

“Within the heart of Ring Road, it is everyday hue and cry. Pickpockets rob people of their hard-earned money. During nightfall, vagrant hoodlums descend on commuters to rob them,” the group alleged.

Several victims who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed that Ring Road is no longer safe for commuters, alleging that security agents do nothing to fish out the hoodlums.

The area around Ugbague was also described as a hub for sex workers, adding to the chaos in the area.

When contacted, the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ikoedom Eno confirmed the reports, saying that police detectives have been deployed to the walkways and within Ring Road to patrol and bring the hoodlums to book.

“We are aware and our men are working on the walkways and within Ring Road to arrest the criminals terrorizing commuters,” ASP Eno said.

The concerned Oredo Youths urged Governor Okpebholo to declare a state of emergency on sanitation and security around Ring Road, evacuate all refuse dumps, and deploy more security personnel to the area.

They warned that if nothing is done urgently, Ring Road, which is the commercial hub of Benin, may become completely unsafe for business.