BY FAVOUR PERCY-IDUBOR, BENIN
EDO State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has ordered heads of various security agencies to make the state unsafe for criminal elements.
The governor gave the directive at an inaugural security meeting, held behind closed doors in Government House, Benin City, Edo State capital. Okpebholo said his administration places priority on security and revealed that his government is doing everything to ensure that the state is safe for every resident. He noted that the issue of cultism dominated the security discussion, and his administration will not fold its arms, while cult-related killings go on in the state. He urged security agencies to collaborate with each other and ensure that they put a stop to the killings, especially in Benin City, the state capital. “During my campaign, I placed security above all. It is a priority for my administration because it is important to secure lives. The issue of cultism dominated the discussion. The rate of cultism is not acceptable. “The issue of cultism is no longer acceptable in Edo State. We do not want to lose anybody, and we will be firm about this. We have ordered security agencies to collaborate and ensure that Edo is safe for all, but not for criminals.
“We charged them to smoke out criminals wherever they are hiding and ensure that the state is safe for all”. Edo State Commissioner of Police, Umoru Peter Ozigi, while reacting, said various security agencies during the Security Council meeting, discussed areas of concern and the efforts made so far.
He said that the governor has assured them of the support of his administration in ensuring that Edo is safe. He said: “We just finished the first security council meeting with the governor. We have discussed areas of concern and our efforts so far. “The Governor has assured us that he will give us needed support and ensure that Edo State is safe for all to live and do business and other legitimate endeavours.”
