The House of Representatives in Nigeria has taken decisive action to address the escalating security crisis in Edo State, commending Governor Godwin Obaseki for his proactive approach and urging the Federal Government to bolster security presence in the affected regions. The House’s resolution follows a motion of urgent public importance highlighting a disturbing surge in violent crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape, and cult-related killings, particularly in the Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency. This area has become a hotbed of criminal activity, causing widespread fear and psychological trauma amongst residents. The alarming rise in these incidents necessitates immediate and comprehensive measures to restore peace and security to the affected communities.
Central to the House’s commendation is Governor Obaseki’s establishment of “Operation Rescue,” a joint security task force equipped with new vehicles, gadgets, and a restructured Edo State Security Corps. This initiative, which emphasizes community-based security measures, represents a significant step towards tackling the security challenges head-on. The House acknowledged the early positive results yielded by this operation and called for further collaboration between state and federal authorities to amplify its impact. The motion also specifically requests the establishment of a military base in Uromi, a strategic location within the troubled constituency, to enhance security presence and response capabilities.
Beyond commending the Governor’s initiatives, the House emphasized the urgent need for federal intervention. Citing the constitutional mandate of government to ensure the security and welfare of its citizens, the House called upon the Defence Headquarters to establish a military base in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area. This strategically located base is intended to provide a robust and readily available security presence to deter criminal activity and enhance rapid response capabilities in the event of incidents. The motion emphasized the importance of proactive security measures to prevent further violence and restore a sense of safety within the community.
The gravity of the situation was further underscored by a detailed account of recent victims of violence in the Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency. The House expressed deep sorrow over the numerous lives lost, including individuals from various walks of life – from community leaders to students and even youth corps members. The horrific nature of some of these crimes, including instances of mutilation and suspected organ harvesting, highlights the brutality faced by the community and the urgent need for increased security measures. The fact that some victims were killed even after ransoms were paid underscores the ruthlessness of the perpetrators and the complex challenge facing law enforcement.
The House detailed specific areas of concern, identifying the rail route from Uzea to Ugboha, Amedokhian, Udo, Eko-Ibadin, Ubiaja, and Ewohimi as hotspots for criminal activity. The criminals’ operations have expanded beyond these areas, with reports of kidnappings now occurring within people’s homes, amplifying the sense of fear and insecurity among residents. This detailed information is crucial for targeted security operations and resource allocation, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach involving various security agencies.
In a decisive move to address the crisis, the House mandated several of its committees, including Defence, Army, National Security and Intelligence, Police, and Legislative Compliance, to oversee the implementation of these measures and ensure compliance from relevant agencies. The committees are tasked with reporting back to the House within four weeks, enabling further legislative action if necessary. This demonstrates a commitment to holding relevant parties accountable and ensuring a sustained effort to address the security crisis in Edo State. The House also observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims, acknowledging the human cost of this ongoing crisis. This multi-pronged approach, combining state-level initiatives with federal intervention and legislative oversight, aims to bring a decisive end to the escalating violence and restore peace and security to Edo State.
