By DADA AYOKHAI
Edo State in recent times has been in the news for the wrong reasons ranging from murder of a Catholic priest who was kidnapped and later murdered, even as the Benin – Auchi highway has become a haven for kidnappers and other criminal activities.
Rising from an security meeting convened in Benin, the Edo State capital, by the Deputy Governor of the state, Hon Phillip Shaibu, the state government read the riot act to the traditional rulers and village heads, saying they would henceforth be held responsible for any act of kidnapping and terrorism that occurs in their domain.
Hon Shaibu is presently holding forte for his principal, Gov Obaseki who is on vacation.
He dished out the stern warning during the emergency security meeting he convened to tackle the rising cases of kidnapping and other acts of insecurity that have enveloped the state in recent times.
The meeting had in attendance traditional rulers, village heads, vigilante groups, hunters, local government chairmen, and other stakeholders.
Sounding worried and concerned about the impact of the situation on the state economy as well as security, Hon Shaibu emphasised the government can no longer close its eyes to the nefarious activities of the undesirable elements who seem bent on instilling fear in the populace
At the end of the security summit, a seven-point resolution was adopted central of which enjoined local government chairmen to spearhead the onslaught against insecurity in the state by liaising with relevant security agencies to form a “united front and synergy” in confronting the menace
The resolution also stipulates the immediate clearance of all “illegal occupants” residing in the forests under whatever guise.
Local government chairmen were particularly mandated to use “all possible means” at their disposal, including using the police, army, vigilante groups and local hunters to forcefully evict any erring group or individuals within the next ten days.
In addition, each local government was directed to recruit hunters and vigilante groups who understand the terrain to assist in combing the vast forests in the state to flush out the “undesirable elements”, while also ensuring they are paid monthly stipends.
The local governments were also charged with the responsibility of providing logistics and equipment, including weapons, uniforms, and ammunition.
In what appears like a stern warning, traditional rulers and village heads who may have collected money from some “killer” herdsmen to grant them access to either camp or grazing in any part of the Edo State forest were directed to refund such monies and ask the herdsmen to leave immediately.
Any traditional ruler or village head who flouts this order within the next ten days will be held responsible for any act of kidnapping or terrorism that occurs in their domain.
