Security
Edo Deploys Over 120 Security Personnel To Forests To Dislodge Criminals, Others
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Tuesday, said over 120 security personnel have been deployed to forests in the state, particularly the Ovia Forest to dislodge criminals from the area.
Obaseki disclosed this after presiding over the February Security Council Meeting at the Executive Council (EXCO) Chambers in Government House, Benin City.
He said the Council is working to deploy more security personnel to other forests across the state to prevent criminals from migrating to places that are currently enjoying peace.
The governor revealed that Edo had an impressive drop of incidence from about 170 in January to 46 in February, noting that the state Security Council is working proactively to ensure the security of lives and property in communities where farmers/herders clashes are prevalent.
According to him, “We have deployed over 120 security personnel to dislodge criminals from the Ovia axis of our forest. We got information that criminals are trying to come back, but we have redeployed more security personnel. We are working on how to completely flush them out of Edo State.”
Obaseki noted that the Security Council also resolved to immediately begin the arrest and prosecution of owners of unregistered vehicles, as well as vehicles with covered number plates in the state.
On his part, Edo State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Henry Benamaisia said the agency has discovered that criminals move around the state with unregistered plate numbers, adding, “to check this, the state government has set up a task force to arrest offenders starting from today.”
He noted that the Federal Government through the FRSC has approved 5,000 plate numbers for Edo State, noting, “All plate numbers must not be covered but opened as security agencies from this week will embark on a massive operation to arrest offenders.”
“Speed is a major cause of accidents and deaths on our road. Consequently, the governor has given us the mandate to arrest any commercial bus driver not using the speed limit device.”
“It is compulsory for all commercial vehicles in Edo state to install their speed limit device. If you are a commercial driver in Edo State without the speed limit device, it is now an offense and you will be arrested,” he added.
Speaking on the successes in ridding the state of kidnappers, Commissioner of Police, CP Philip Ogbadu, revealed that between January and February, the command has arrested several suspects including three persons on the Police wanted list since June last year, while three AK 47 rifles were recovered from the suspected kidnappers.
On his part, the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Iyamu SAN, explained that after a meeting between the Governor and the EFCC in Edo state, the state is developing a coordinated approach to stamp out cybercrime from the state.
“From the data presented and correlated by that of the state, it’s clear that large numbers of youths are engaged in this act. The age bracket involved in cybercrime is from 15 to less than 30 years, and prominent among them is dating scams, which is about 80 to 90 percent of the cybercrime activities in the state.
“Just as the state took the lead in tackling human trafficking five years ago, we are planning to attack cybercrime head-on and not to lose a whole generation of youths as we attack it from the root. Our youths are no longer interested in schooling. We are planning to attack the root cause.”
Orji Kalu, the senator representing Abia north, says the federal government should urgently address the growing insecurity in many parts of the country.
In a video posted from China on his social media page on Monday, Kalu warned that terrorists may overrun the south-east region and Borno if no action is taken.
The senator said the worsening security situation requires decisive intervention devoid of politics.
Kalu, who chairs the senate committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), urged the federal government to commit more resources to security agencies to confront the threat.
He warned that insecurity in Nigeria is no longer a matter of political argument but a dire national crisis.
The senator was reacting to a recent warning by Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, who said insurgents have regained control of parts of the state.
Kalu said the situation in Borno mirrors the growing threat in the south-east and called for immediate intervention to prevent a total collapse.
“I want to believe Professor Zulum that the security situation is deteriorating every day, so we need to step up, especially in the south-east,” the lawmaker said.
“Our south-east governors are doing their best to fight insurgency. I would like the federal government to step up security in the south-east because it’s a gateway for people transporting goods from the ports and refineries.”
Kalu also faulted the ongoing disagreement between Zulum and Mohammed Idris, minister of information, over the state of security, insisting the president must be told the truth.
“For me, Professor Zulum and the minister don’t need to argue. These are fundamental issues. If we don’t tell President Tinubu the truth, the place will be ungovernable,” he said.
“So, it is better we tell him the truth on the condition of the insecurity situation in Nigeria.”
He commended the efforts of the armed forces and other security agencies, noting that they have shown commitment in the face of limited resources.
“Our Nigerian Army has been doing their best, and I congratulate them — especially the chief of army staff, the inspector-general of police, and other security chiefs — for all the efforts they have been putting in,” he said.
Kalu urged the federal government to channel more funds, equipment, and attention to Borno and the south-east.
“We cannot play politics with insecurity; we should take the art of governance very seriously,” he said.
The senator advised the minister of information to consult security chiefs before issuing public statements on security matters.
“No governor or president wants his people to die, so I urge the minister of information to step down some of the statements he is making about insecurity and should also consult the chief of army staff and the inspector-general of police,” he said.
“The national security adviser has also been on top of his game, but people should stop making statements without consulting the security agencies.”
Kalu expressed confidence in the security leadership, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS), and called on Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu in tackling insecurity and rebuilding the economy.
“The DSS will continue to provide information. I believe Tosin is very capable — he is a young lad who is capable,” he said.
“We can rid all these criminals away and build our economy to be strong. Let us stop politics and concentrate on the economy of Nigeria.
“President Tinubu has done his best; let’s support him to build our economy together.”
Zulum recently expressed concerns over the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings across the state.
He spoke on April 8 at a security meeting attended by military commanders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.
On Sunday, Mohammed Monguno, senator representing Borno north, said any government that fails to guarantee the safety of its citizens does not deserve to remain in power.
Speaking in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno, after a security meeting, Monguno, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said security is the fundamental purpose of government.
The explosion followed an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists on the dilapidated and deserted road which passes through the Sambisa forest.
According to several sources, the explosion happened while cars on a scheduled military-escorted convoy were transporting passengers from Damboa to Maiduguri on Saturday leaving several others with varying degrees of injuries.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road links Maiduguri to several local government areas in Southern Borno and has been a hotspot for Boko Haram terrorists for over a decade.
The road was closed to vehicles and commuters until the administration of Babagana Zulum opened the road for passengers to travel to Damboa, Chibok and other LGAs in southern Borno with the help of a military convoy serving as security cover for the commuters.
The convoy traverses the road two times a week after scanning for IED by the military and this has been going on for over two years now.
The injured persons whose numbers are yet to be specified have been conveyed to a hospital in Maiduguri for prompt medical attention.
A student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has been abducted by unidentified gunmen following an off-campus hostel attack.
Channels reports that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday at Istijaba Villa in Unguwar Jeji area of the state.
Witness accounts said five armed men entered the hostel to demand money from students who were taking a walk outside.
But the students refused to give in to their demands, which led to an assault from the attackers.
A resident, who was said to have attempted intervention, was shot dead while a final-year student of economics, simply identified as Madubiya, was whisked away by the assailants.
Responding to the incident, Muhammad Zaiyan-Umar, the vice-chancellor of FUBK, visited the scene in the company of the officers from the Kalgo police division and Department of State Services (DSS).
Addressing the students, Zaiyan-Umar said the university is committed to ensuring their safety and security.
It is understood that the VC has communicated the incident to Nasir Idris, the governor of Kebbi state, through the secretary to the state government and the director of security services at the cabinet office.
As of this reporting, the Kebbi state police command has yet to respond to enquiries about the incident.
In 2021, rumours soared of a planned attack by bandits after a heavy security presence was observed on campus.
At the time, the management of FUBK dismissed the claims.