BENIN CITY – Following alleged disturbing Intelligence available to security operatives, security was yesterday beefed up around major media houses in Benin City, Edo State Capital.
Staff of the Edo State-owned newspaper, The NIGERIAN OBSERVER on Airport Road were on arrival at the office, dazed at the sight of armed police officers and operatives of DSS who strategically positioned their vehicles at the gates of the premises.
Some armed police officers who intermittently walked gallantly from one office complex to the other, claimed to be looking for a place to eat when our reporter inquired their motive about 9:29a.m, yesterday.
Four other senior officers including one CSP Oluyemi Odediran believed to have in collaboration led the operation took their seats close to the main door of the newspaper company.
Though no case of molestation and harassment was recorded at press time yesterday some staff and visitors to the complex were visibly intimidated by the unusual presence of armed security personnel around the media facility.
Similar armed police presence was also noticed at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Secretariat on Reservation Road, GRA, Benin City.
Our reporter’s investigation revealed that the operation may not be unconnected to the planned Revolution March as the chief organizer Mr Omoyele Sowore has an office beside The NIGERIAN OBSERVER newspaper complex.
It was further scooped that supporters of the Revolution March intended to use the office close to the media house as a take off point of the protest in Benin City, hence, the swift deployment of officers to proactively dislodge them.
Sources hinted that the security personnel arrived the area about 11pm, last Sunday.
Contacted, the Commissioner of Police in Edo CP DanMallam Mohammed said the operation followed Intelligence report.
“Mike, you know we don’t play with any Intelligence no matter how small.
“I will not take for granted anything that will jeopardize security of lives and property. The officers are there to protect lives and property, not to arrest anyone.
“Do they take any staff to custody?” The CP asked rhetorically.
However, some staff and Journalists who spoke on the issue thanked the commissioner of police CP DanMallam Mohammed for the proactive deployment of operatives to protect lives and property.
