Every life in Edo must be protected, says Okpebholo

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo has assured residents that his administration will protect every life in the state, urging community leaders and security stakeholders to collaborate with security agencies to tackle insecurity. Okpebholo gave the assurance at an interactive session with security representatives, vigilantes and community leaders in the seven Local Government Areas in Edo South Senatorial District on Monday in Benin. According to him, Edo has a history and must be protected as every soul, every life in the land matters to the government. The governor said that the state is not ready to lose any resident as a result of insecurity. The governor said security is a collective responsibility and urged residents to report threats and suspicious movements in their communities to appropriate channels. He said the government would not allow criminals from outside Edo to enter the state to kidnap residents, adding that all stakeholders have a role to play in protecting the state. Okpebholo also assured residents that Edo would become safer in the coming weeks, saying the government had put strategies in place to improve response to security threats. He said a distress call would trigger a rapid security response, with five to seven security vehicles expected to arrive within five minutes. Okpebholo assured that motorcycles would be provided to security personnel to enable them to access remote parts of forests where criminals might be hiding. He urged youths and community leaders to provide credible information to security agencies to help sustain the gains recorded in the fight against cultism, kidnapping and other crimes. Speaking on the kidnapping incident at the Vegetable Market, the governor said the perpetrators were arrested within 24 hours after they came from another state to carry out the crime in Edo. Earlier, the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Mr Festus Ebea, commended the governor for his efforts in tackling insecurity. Ebea urged (Okaighele) community leaders to remain vigilant, report suspicious persons and occurrences and provide timely and accurate information to security agencies. On his part, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, also commended the governor for convening the meeting, urging Okaighele to see themselves as custodians of security in their communities. Daaor urged them to work closely with security agencies. Some of the Okiagheles' who spoke during the meeting called for more policing of border communities to prevent influx of foreign elements and ensure quick response to security challenges.