The Edo State Police Command has arrested Mr Kelly Okungbowa, a former aide to Governor Monday Okpebholo and former Coordinator of the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT), for allegedly assaulting a police officer on duty.
DAILY POST reports that the Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eno Ikoedem, confirmed the arrest to newsmen on Sunday, May 31, 2026, in Benin City.
Ikoedem said the suspect is currently in police custody and would be charged in court.
The command’s spokesperson, who urged members of the public to respect officers while carrying out their lawful responsibilities, noted that no individual is above the law.
According to her, everyone should respect police officers performing their lawful duties, as no one is above the law.
It was gathered that the former governor’s aide allegedly assaulted the officer while he was carrying out his lawful duties on Saturday evening, May 30, 2026, along the Upper Sakponba axis in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.
He was alleged to have attacked the officer during an encounter, prompting his arrest by police operatives.
Reacting to the incident, the President of the Talakawa’s Rights Group, Kola Edokpayi, condemned the alleged assault and described it as unacceptable.
Edokpayi, in a statement, commended the officers involved for displaying restraint and professionalism despite what he described as provocation.
He opined that law enforcement officers deserve respect as public servants committed to safeguarding lives and property.
He, however, added that grievances against security personnel should be channelled through established procedures rather than confrontations.
“Given Okungbowa’s influence and connections within government circles, it would have been more appropriate for him to report any perceived misconduct through official channels instead of engaging in a face-off with armed police officers,” he added.
DAILY POST recalls that Kelly Okungbowa, who was appointed Coordinator of the Edo State Public Safety Response Team, had earlier served as Chairman of the Committee set up by Governor Monday Okpebholo for the recovery of government vehicles.
The governor, however, on March 14, 2025, sacked and suspended him indefinitely as Coordinator of the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) following multiple public complaints of extortion, misconduct and a tragic incident in which a two-year-old child was killed during a vehicle seizure operation by the task force in Benin City.
He was also arrested on March 17, 2025, by operatives of the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged naira abuse.
He was arrested following a viral video in which he was seen spraying and mutilating the naira at a bar on March 9, 2025, in Benin City.
Okungbowa was subsequently granted bail after being charged to court.
The former aide to Governor Okpebholo was also reported to have assaulted a female journalist with the Edo State Broadcasting Service (EBS), Mrs Juliet Enabulele, and a cameraman, Mr Bright Osifo, on December 15, 2025.
The incident reportedly occurred at the Festival Hall of Government House, Benin City, during an empowerment programme for 250 persons with physical disabilities organised by Mrs Remi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
