The House of Representatives has urged the Inspector General of Police to deploy more mobile Police personnel to Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State, Southern Nigeria.
This was sequel to a motion on the “Need to Beef up Security Formations in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State,” brought to the House by Hon. Sergius Ose Ogun.
It also urged the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to set up an Army Barracks or a Forward Operating Base (OB) and a Police Mobile Force Base respectively within Edo Central Senatorial District.
It said that “Convinced that the setting up of a Police Mobile Force Base and a Nigeria Army Barracks/Forward Operating Base (FOB) within Edo Central Senatorial District will go a long way in wadding off perpetrators of crimes and criminality from Esan land and Edo State in general”.
The House noted that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that the security and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of government.
“Worried about the spate of kidnappings, armed robbery attacks and insecurity generally in the country, especially in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State, thus leading to the loss of lives and properties and is causing palpable fear and apprehension among residents”. The motion said.
It informed that on Monday, 9 January, 2023, Mrs. Precious Aigbonog, the President of Customary Court was kidnapped on her way to court around Ugoneki Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State.
It also informed that a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Edughele, was also kidnapped on January 9, 2023 at Ugoneki town on his way to board a flight to Abuja in Benin City.
“Disturbed that these sad incidents occurred two days after 20 train passengers were kidnapped at the Igueben Train Station while waiting to board a train to Warri, Delta State; Appreciates the concerted effort by the team of Nigeria Army and Nigeria Police Force which led to the rescue of the President of the Igueben Customary Court and Mr. Festus Edughele as well as 18 out of the 20 Train Passengers kidnapped”, it said.
The motion also noted the saddened death of DSP Michael Adams during the rescue operation by the Nigerian Army and Police.
A minute of silence was observed in honour of the deceased police officer, DSP Michael Adams, who paid the supreme sacrifice while in active service.
The House however mandated the Committees on Army and Police Affairs to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
