Group commends Obaseki for introducing vigilantes to curb insecurity

A civil society group, Talakawa Parliament has commended Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki for endorsing the formation of vigilante groups to tackle insecurity in the state.

The group also passed a vote of confidence on him for stepping up measures to contain the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing journalists in Benin City, its coordinator, Marxist Kola Edokpayi, also appealed to the state government to review the curfew imposed on the state, stressing that the curfew was stifling economic activities in Benin City and other urban centres in the state.

He said the call became necessary because it had negatively affected owners of businesses, especially transporters, entertainers and hoteliers, among others.

Edokpayi, who lamented rising cases of COVID-19 in the state, urged residents to adhere to guidelines against the spread of the virus, protect themselves and the elderly who are the most vulnerable to the scourge.

He urged the state government to prioritise and motivate vigilante groups morally, financially and equip them with the necessary paraphernalia to further complement other security agencies in fighting crime.

He said but for the creation of the vigilante groups, the state would have degenerated into the Hobbesian and primitive state in which life would have been nasty, brutish and short.

“We commend the governor for the proactive step taken so far in the fight against rising cases of COVID-19. The state government has invested in the health sector, which has made it possible for patients to be treated having been isolated for some time. We pass a vote of confidence on the state government for the achievement so far and appeal for more to be done.

“We appeal to Governor Obaseki to review the curfew time from 12:00a.m. to 6:00a.m., as against 10:00p.m. to 6:00a.m., so that security personnel should stop exploiting our people in the name of executing the curfew directive and introduce night life once again,” he said.