The House of Representatives on Tuesday commended Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for the establishment of a Joint Security Taskforce to tackle the worsening insecurity in the state.
Code-named Operation Rescue, the taskforce has been empowered by the Okpebholo-led government through the provision of security vehicles and other gadgets as well as the restructuring of the Edo State Security Corps to strengthen community-based security measures across the state.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency, Edo State, Mr Henry Okojie.
Rallying support for the motion, Okojie, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, lamented the insecurity challenges in the constituency, stressing that the establishment of a military base in Uromi will help address the challenge for the benefit of the people.
He said, “The House commends the effort of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State, for his innovative actions, including the establishment of a Joint Security Taskforce (Operation Rescue) to address the escalating insecurity across 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.
The House urged the Federal Government through the Defence Headquarters to establish a military base in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area to enhance security presence and response capabilities in the region.”
Citing Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution which provides for the primary purpose of government; Okojie lamented that 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.”
He stated that, “The level of insecurity in Esan North East and Esan South East Federal Constituency of Edo State has reached a critical juncture, with persistent and increasing incidents of killings, kidnappings and other forms of violence.
According to him, “The House is saddened by the increasing rate of insecurity, and the situation has become unbearable. 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.
We are deeply saddened by the recent increase in the number of victims, including Mr Sylvester and his mother, Mr Kingsley Okoboh, Mr Odion Onobhoebhin, Mr Akhere, Mrs Magaret Akpa, Mr Monday Ikah, Mr Eboh, Mr Ehiabhili (the Chairman of the Tipper Drivers’ Association), Madam Sokoto, Miss Peace, Mr Eze, Seminarian Ephraim Akhere, Mr Victor and his wife, Mrs Samuel Inegbenebor,
Others are Miss Faith (an undergraduate student who is still in the hospital), 16-year-old Becky (who remains traumatised after being raped and mishandled), and three youth corps members, among numerous others.
It is pertinent to also mention that some of these victims were killed despite ransoms having been paid. ”
He further noted that the 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.”
Following the overwhelming support for the bill, the House observed a minute silence in honour of the dead.
It also urged 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, and to foster synergy among the security agencies and relevant stakeholders to effectively address the trend of insecurity in Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency, Edo State.
The House also called on the Federal Government, through the Defence Headquarters to establish a military base in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, to enhance security presence and response capabilities in the region.
It further mandated its Committees on Defence, Army, National Security and Intelligence, Police and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative actions.
