• Okpebholo blames opposition for worsening insecurity
• Reps give service chiefs marching orders

As part of efforts to strengthen security nationwide, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has approved the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs)to the six geopolitical zones and directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) to commence coordinated inter-state patrols aimed at tackling cross-border crimes.

On his part, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State chose to blame opposition political parties for the spate of insecurity in the country.

This was as the House of Representatives summoned the service chiefs and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, over the issue. 

The IGP‎ made the announcement yesterday during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers at the Force Headquarters (FHQ) in Abuja.
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He said the deployment, which takes effect from June 15, would strengthen supervision, improve operational coordination and enhance accountability across police commands.
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According to him, the initiative is designed to bring senior leadership closer to operational areas and ensure quicker responses to emerging security threats.

‎Directing all CPs to establish “Handshake Patrols” with neighbouring state commands, Disu said criminals frequently exploit state boundaries after committing crimes, adding that enhanced collaboration among police commands was necessary to deny them safe havens.

‎Okpebholo, who made the allegation at the flag-off of local council elections in the Edo South Senatorial District at Urhokpota Hall, Benin City, further accused the opposition of sponsoring insecurity to tarnish the leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

The governor said promoting insecurity would not guarantee the opposition victory in the coming general election.
 
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock. They can even kidnap all of us. Yes, there is no vacancy in Aso Rock. What is happening today is the handiwork of the opposition. But they have failed. If you kidnap everybody who are you going to govern? So let them give us the peace, so that we can rule very well,” Okpebholo said.

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, Jarrett Tenebe, described the ruling party as the only viable party in the state.

He urged the candidates for the council elections to take the governor’s developmental strides to the nooks and crannies of the state and replicate them in their respective local councils.

The House resolution followed two motions of urgent public importance moved separately by Sulaiman Gumi, representing Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, and Ibe Osonwa. 

They raised the alarm over the increasing national security crisis.

Raising his motion, Gumi said insecurity in Zamfara and the wider North-West had escalated into a complex humanitarian emergency, driven by armed banditry, kidnappings, and cross-border infiltration by criminal networks.

He warned that the sustained movement of armed groups across states on motorcycles, coupled with recurring attacks on villages, reflected a weakening security response that required urgent federal intervention.

Abdussamad Dasuki of Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency of Sokoto State moved that the motion be amended to include the invitation of the service chiefs and the NSA to provide explanations and answers on the rising wave of insecurity across the country.

The House adopted the amendment. 

It also urged the Ministry of Defence to deploy more personnel and operational equipment to affected states and mandated the House Committee on Defence to report back within two weeks.

The House warned that if the administration fails to decisively halt the worsening insecurity within a defined timeframe, security chiefs may be expected to consider honourable resignation for failing to meet constitutional expectations of safeguarding the nation.

The House Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence were mandated to monitor implementation of the resolution and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.