24th October, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
There is palpable fear and apprehension in Edo State as violent crimes escalate across various parts of the state. Residents have continued to express concern over the increasing insecurity in Benin City and other areas, appealing to the police and other security agencies to fulfil their responsibilities in protecting lives and property.
Crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape, and cult-related killings are now reported almost daily. The situation is approaching a point of despair, even as security operatives carry out raids on identified flashpoints and hideouts.
Here are a few cases from the spate of crimes recorded in recent weeks:
On Saturday, 28 September, the Benin Zonal Coordinator of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Monday Igbafen, was kidnapped by yet-to-be-identified gunmen. However, he was fortunate to escape unharmed after two days in captivity.
On 2 October, three individuals, including a couple, Mr and Mrs Inebo, were kidnapped in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area.
In another incident, three suspected kidnappers who had abducted and killed a youth simply identified as Junior, after collecting a ransom, were lynched by an enraged mob. The mob set them ablaze in an act of jungle justice. This occurred during the last week of September in Okpiko community, Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government Area.
On 16 October, the Edo State Police Command paraded several suspects arrested for crimes including theft, kidnapping, carjacking, and armed robbery.
Additionally, there was a fatal attack on quarry workers last Thursday in Ihievbe-Ogben, a community notorious for kidnapping, situated on the boundary between Owan East and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas.
According to the spokesman for the Edo State Police Command, SP Moses Joel Yamu, a police inspector and one other person were killed in the attack, while an expatriate and a police sergeant sustained injuries. A female staff member of the quarry remains missing.
The most recent incident occurred on the evening of Monday, when suspected armed robbers reportedly killed a Point-of-Sale (POS) operator in Benin City. The incident took place on Ihogbe Street, off Wire Road.
It was reported that the gunmen, possibly acting on insider information, approached the young man at his kiosk and demanded money. He denied having any money apart from what was in his bag. Unsatisfied with his explanation, the criminals searched the area and discovered a large sum of money, which they forcibly took. As the operator attempted to retrieve the money, they shot him, killing him on the spot.
At the time of this report, the police had yet to confirm the incident.
Many residents have blamed the suspension of the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) by the police for the rise in criminal activities. It will be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, announced the suspension following allegations that ESSN operatives were involved in the killing of Inspector Akor Onu, the police orderly of Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Residents who spoke to our correspondent in Benin stated that the presence of ESSN operatives in various communities before their suspension had significantly reduced crime rates.
Members of the Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO) recently held a peaceful protest in Benin, demanding the return of ESSN. Omobude Agho, who led the protest, noted that the absence of the ESSN had led to a sharp increase in criminal activities across the state.
“We believe the suspension of the ESSN by the IGP has served its purpose, and it is time to recall them to their duty posts. The absence of the ESSN has severely impacted the state’s security, as the number of police officers in Edo is insufficient compared to the population,” he said.
Governor Godwin Obaseki, after a State Security Council meeting, noted that since the election was over, the vigilante group would be reinstated to tackle the anticipated rise in accidents and criminal activities during the ‘ember’ months, among other reasons.
However, the state’s Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, expressed a differing opinion. Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting with the immediate past Commissioner of Police, Nemo Edwin-Iwo, Shaibu accused the governor of taking actions that could lead to chaos in the state by the time he leaves office on 12 November.
“I came to inform the Commissioner of Police that the Edo vigilante group should not resume work. The current composition of the vigilante group is designed to cause harm to political opponents.
“What I expect the police to do now is to recover the arms and ammunition from these vigilantes. As we speak, the Nigerian police are performing excellently. Some personnel and equipment from the election period are still present for post-election security, so why is the governor in such a rush to reinstate the vigilantes?” Shaibu asked.
The Edo State Police Command has yet to respond to inquiries on how it is addressing the rise in kidnapping and other criminal activities.
