Oba Of Benin convenes security meeting on herdsmen, illegal migration

A special security meeting to tackle the problems of herdsmen, illegal migration and human trafficking, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state has been held at the instance of the Oba of Benin in his palace.

The various heads of security agencies in the state, including the Police, the Army, the Directorate of State Security, Immigration, Prisons and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, attended the meeting.

Others are the Enigie, Hausa leaders, Fulani and Nupe communities, as well as the vice chairmen of the Edo State Council of Traditional rulers and Chiefs.

In a remark, Oba Ewuare II said the purpose of the meeting was to hear from the security agencies the state of affairs regarding security issues in the state, to enable them rob minds on the way forward.

The monarch, who expressed worries over activities of herdsmen, illegal migration and human trafficking, said he started putting plans together to tackle the problems since 2015.

He told the security chiefs that security challenges are disturbing the state’s peace, tranquility and development; hence the urgent need to find lasting solution to the problems.

The Oba assured of his continued support to ensure that the people enjoy relative peace and sleep with two eyes closed.
Oba Ewuare II told the security chiefs that whatever logistic requests they have that would ensure effective security of the state will be communicated to the state government for immediate action.

On his part, the Iyase of Benin, Chief Sam Igbe, lamented the atrocities being committed by herdsmen in the state, and wondered why nobody is doing anything about the killings, raping and destruction of farms.

In their own submission, the Enigie and other chiefs said the cattle herdsmen have other motives aside apart rearing cattle. They stressed the need for cattle owners to build ranches for their cow business.

They called for the establishment of community police and vigilante groups to complement the security agencies’ efforts.

The leaders of Hausa, Fulani and Nupe communities in the State in their separate speeches, said cattle dealers are part of the problem. They expressed the need for concerted efforts to ensure that herdsmen who destroy farms are made to pay for it.

They also promised to hold meetings with village heads in the various local governments to sensitise them on how to handle the issue of cattle herdsmen.

The security chiefs agreed to implement the decisions reached at the meeting, in so far as it will bring peace and tranquility to the state.

They, however, requested for adequate logistics to enable them effectively tackle security challenges in the state.

…Receives German Ambassador
Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba of Benin has said traditional rulers will continue to do their best to unite the country and help sort out the security challenges in the country.

Oba Ewuare II stated this, when the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Bernhard Schlagheck, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Benin.

His Royal Majesty informed his guest that the Nigerian government is doing its best to address the various challenges in the country, pointing out that the fight against corruption is on.

While thanking the German government for its interest in Benin Kingdom and its artefacts, he called on the Ambassador to help facilitate the return of the stolen artefact, as it would be used to equip the palace museum.

He said Benin culture still remains the most viable and vibrant in Africa and appealed to the Ambassador to support in the fight against illegal migration and human trafficking.

Earlier, the German Ambassador had commended the Omo N’Oba for his recent diplomatic outreach to the presidency and Sultan of Sokoto, noting that traditional rulers have a great role to play in the promotion of national unity as custodian of the people’s culture and tradition.