Benin — Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has launched a joint military/police security outfit of Operation Thunderstorm in Benin to further check the menace of kinappers and other criminal activities in the state.

The governor told reporters that the outfit is made up f about170 men of the army, air force and 110 armed mobile policemen.

He said both financial and moral supports have been mapped out, assuring that, they are to receive daily allowances of about N1, 250 each person as well as additional pay for the senior officers to enable them with lose the challenges on the ground. He asked the joint team not to spare anyone including himself as governor, other government officials and to subject those in security uniforms to serious interrogation to determine their mission and identities as well as to forestall any unfortunate circumstances.

The governor said they will be expected to inspect all vehicles.

His words,"I used the word all vehicles including the vehicle of the governor. If I travel on the highway and I approach a road block I shall stop. I shall invite the men to look the vehicle to inspect the governors vehicle.

Continuing,"Of course if they have the right to inspect the vehicle of the governor the deputy governor will not have any immunity, his vehicle will also be subject to inspection. I have the understanding of the speaker to say that he himself, his vehicle will be subject to inspection. If a traditional ruler is driving on the highway he will be expected to stop and his vehicle will be subject to open inspection. That is to say that nobody in this state or travelling through this state shall be exempted."

Oshiomhole warned the security outfit against the antics of kidnappers and their enormous task of ensuring that the state was safe from the menace of criminals and rampaging kidnappers whose activities cut across the states in the west, East and those in the Niger Delta region that pass through Edo state.

He stressed that "In the interest of the public, you know there are many states that needed this joint operation and the presidency didn't oblige them. We are very fortunate in Edo state that the presidency granted us this privilege but it has its own implications; the reason Mr. President agreed to deploy members of the armed forces to join the police is because of the fact that additional measures were required."