Edo warns communities against conniving with kidnappers

Edo State government has cautioned communities at the Auchi-Benin highway against conniving with criminals to carry out kidnapping and other illegal activities along the busy route.

Youths in Ehor, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, had barricaded the road last week in protest against growing cases of kidnapping and killings in the axis.

In a meeting with community leaders, youths, and other stakeholders, yesterday, the state government, represented by Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and heads of security agencies said authorities have received more information to complement the security architecture already initiated by State Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Shaibu said the state government had discovered that the issue of security has to be localised “and in localising it, you must hear directly from the people.”

He stressed that the state governor is “already working to deal with this menace.”

Commissioner of Police, Philip Ogbadu cautioned the communities against conniving with criminals, saying: “If anybody is benefitting from it, we want the community to open up and search within, so that we will know and bring them to book.”

This came as the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS), yesterday, commended the state government for its commitment to the fight against gender-based violence in the state.

Members of the Academy expressed their appreciation while on a tour with Wife of Edo State Governor Betsy Obaseki to facilities set up by State Governor Godwin Obaseki for the management of gender-based violence.

Betsy Obaseki is the chairperson of the Edo State Gender Based Violence Management Committee.

In his remarks, Prof. Friday Okonofua, who led the NAS delegation, expressed satisfaction saying: “I am very impressed. This is one of the most comprehensive shelter houses I have been to and I have visited quite a lot, because it contains everything that someone who is in an emergency situation of this sort needs to have and we are very happy that the government has been able to provide such facilities.”

Igbinedion University Okada (IUO), meanwhile, inaugurated its 6th Governing Council, yesterday, in Edo State.

The chancellor, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, who was represented by Deputy Chancellor Lucky Igbinedion, charged the council to put all cards on the table for the advancement of the university’s corporate objectives. He also urged the council to move the institution from excellence to eminence especially with regards to its 2021-2025 strategic plan.