The Edo State Government has dissociated itself from a viral social media flier linking the government to a campaign to “kick-out prostitution from the streets of Edo State.”

In a statement, Commissioner for Physical Planning, Urban and Regional Development, Isoken Omo, noted that “although the government is embarking on various campaigns and programmes to sanitize the streets of Benin and rid them of social vices, the said flier did not emanate from the government. It is the handiwork of fraudsters intent on swindling unsuspecting members of the public.”

Omo said, “The attention of the Government of Edo State has been drawn to a viral social media flier purportedly signed by the government of Edo State wherein it plans to embark on a campaign to “kick-out prostitution from the streets of Edo State.

“The said flier did not emanate from the government or any of its agencies. In fact, the publication is the handiwork of fraudsters intent on swindling unsuspecting members of the public.

“While we urge the public to disregard this false information, the government is working with security agencies in the state to prosecute any individual or group posing as a government official with the guise of defrauding Edo residents within the Benin metropolis.”