Akoko-Edo Chairman Warns Security Corps After Farmer's Killing
The chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area in Edo State, Alabi Oshionogue, has issued a stern warning to members of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC) following the killing of a young farmer, Monday Obanigba, by suspected armed herdsmen in Imoga community.
Speaking during a screening exercise for ESSC personnel, Oshionogue expressed disappointment over the persistent cases of kidnapping and violent attacks in the council area despite the large number of security operatives employed and funded by the local government.
He described the July 18 killing as tragic and insisted that residents deserved better protection.
The chairman stressed that the council would not tolerate ghost workers and urged security personnel to justify their employment by strengthening efforts to combat kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities.
He said insecurity should have reduced significantly considering the resources committed to grassroots security.
Also addressing the operatives, the chairman of the screening committee and Secretary to the Local Government, Topa Okomayin, criticised what he described as the lax attitude of some ESSC personnel, warning that negligence of duty would no longer be accepted.
Meanwhile, the Imoga community has appealed to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and security agencies to urgently tackle the worsening insecurity in the area. In a letter signed by Jeffrey Obasanmi, community leaders said repeated attacks had prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands, threatening livelihoods and food production.
The community noted that Imoga's location along the Edo-Kogi-Ondo border has exposed it to frequent cross-border criminal activities. It called for the establishment of a permanent security base in the community, the deployment of more security personnel and stronger collaboration among security agencies in Edo, Kogi and Ondo states to curb the attacks.
Speaking during a screening exercise for ESSC personnel, Oshionogue expressed disappointment over the persistent cases of kidnapping and violent attacks in the council area despite the large number of security operatives employed and funded by the local government.
He described the July 18 killing as tragic and insisted that residents deserved better protection.
The chairman stressed that the council would not tolerate ghost workers and urged security personnel to justify their employment by strengthening efforts to combat kidnapping, cultism and other criminal activities.
He said insecurity should have reduced significantly considering the resources committed to grassroots security.
Also addressing the operatives, the chairman of the screening committee and Secretary to the Local Government, Topa Okomayin, criticised what he described as the lax attitude of some ESSC personnel, warning that negligence of duty would no longer be accepted.
Meanwhile, the Imoga community has appealed to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and security agencies to urgently tackle the worsening insecurity in the area. In a letter signed by Jeffrey Obasanmi, community leaders said repeated attacks had prevented farmers from accessing their farmlands, threatening livelihoods and food production.
The community noted that Imoga's location along the Edo-Kogi-Ondo border has exposed it to frequent cross-border criminal activities. It called for the establishment of a permanent security base in the community, the deployment of more security personnel and stronger collaboration among security agencies in Edo, Kogi and Ondo states to curb the attacks.
