The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, hasย strongly condemned the attack on Ogba Zoo and Nature Park in Benin,ย Edo State,ย on Sunday, during which three policemen were killed and theย Head of the Zoo, Dr. Andy Ehanire, was abducted by the attackers.
Loading ...In a statement issuedย on Monday, the Minister described theย attack on one of the country’s foremost tourist destinations as a big blowย to ongoing efforts to lift the tourism sector in the country.
”The success or failure of a tourism destination depends largely on aย safe and secure environment. Incidences such as the attack on the Ogbaย Zoo and Nature Park therefore negate the concept of tourism as well asย government’s determination to develop our tourism industry as a toolย for socio-economic development.
”The killing of the three policemen attached to the zoo to provideย security for fun seekers, the abduction of the zoo boss and the traumaย suffered by the visitors who witnessed the attack are saddening,ย condemnable and most unfortunate,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said the government will step up security in all theย tourist sites across the country in particular in order to prevent aย recurrence, while urging the abductors of Dr Ehanire to quicklyย release him unharmed.
He also sent his condolences to the families of the policemen who wereย killed in the attack, and prayed that God will grant repose to their
souls.
