Security: Reps hail Okpebholo, seek establishment of military base in Uromi

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The House of Representatives has commended Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, for setting up a joint security task force to combat rising insecurity in the state.

The House charged the Defence Headquarters with establishing a military base in Uromi, the headquarters of Esan North East Local Government Area, to enhance security presence in the area.

The parliament also implored the Federal Government to direct the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant agencies to conduct an intensive investigation to curb these nefarious activities of criminals in the state, as well as ensure synergy among the security agencies and relevant stakeholders in the area.

This was the sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency, Edo State, Henry Okojie.

Okojie, in his motion, calling for urgent intervention in the security challenges in Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency, Edo State, said the level of insecurity in the area has reached an alarming stage with persistent and increasing incidents of killings, kidnappings, and other forms of violence.

According to him, “Crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape, and cult-related killings are now reported almost daily, necessitating serious and tactical operations to stem the situation, which is nearing a state of despair. The police seem to be helpless or overwhelmed by the problem.

“This has caused constituents to live in fear, experience psychological trauma, and suffer a significant decline in their overall sense of security. Numerous people have been killed, and their mutilated bodies have been recovered, showing signs of organ harvesting.

“These criminals operate predominantly along the rail route from Uzea to Ugboha, Amedokhian, Udo, Eko-Ibadin, and Ubiaja to Ewohimi in the Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency of Edo State and have escalated their activities to include kidnapping people in their homes.”

Regardless, Okojie said Governor Okpebholo has taken commendable steps to tackle the menace by establishing a Joint Security Taskforce code-named “Operation Rescue” to address the security situation in the state.

“This initiative includes the purchase and empowerment of security vehicles and other gadgets across the state, as well as the restructuring of the Edo State Security Corps to strengthen community-based security measures, which have started yielding positive results,” he stated.