Edo plans training for security operatives, enlists ex-servicemen

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state government is working with security agencies in the state to boost the capacity of their personnel as part of efforts to strengthen security life and property.

According to a statement by Mr. Crusoe Osagie, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Obaseki disclosed the security measures during a courtesy visit by leaders of Esan Solidarity Association Network, led by its Chairman, Mr. Anthony Okpere, at the Government House, Benin City.

Obaseki said: “As you are aware, the purpose of any government is to secure lives and property of its citizens. A government that cannot do this is as good as no government.

“For me, security is the number one issue in governance. Security must come as number one because without security, everything has failed. What you have done as an association in Esan land is quite exemplary.

“It is exemplary because it reinforces the unity of the Esan people and the state. It is also showing your realignment to the government even when we have not started work and you have just taken the initiative. You used the same process that we have in government.”

He urged people to set up vigilante groups, saying the groups would be recognised and that measures would be put in place to control their activities while money would be raised to support their activities.

“What we have done as a state is to go into alliance with the police. We’ve taken quite a lot of money to refurbish and upgrade the police training facilities in Ogida barracks. That exercise is now complete. We’ve improved the halls, training rooms, accommodation and the clinic,” he said.

A security council, headed by the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade Commander, he said, has been set up to come up with a training proposal to train all security personnel, including the vigilantes.

“What we have done is to go around and screen for ex-service personnel in every local government. We now have five names from each local government. We will screen them and come out with two names.

“These two persons will coordinate our vigilante groups in the local government areas. They will be responsible for preparing them for training, profiling them, documenting the arms they have, and undertaking other security activities,” the governor added.

Earlier, the leader of the group, Okpere, said they have developed ideas to support the government in fighting banditry and kidnapping in the state.