Edo: Okpebholo Outraged By Herdsmen Attacks On Farming Communities …  PDP Wants Govt To Be Proactive

By Ayodele Oni

Just as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state urges Governor, Monday Okpebholo to do something about the gale of killings in the State, Government has condemned the recent violent attacks by suspected Herdsmen on seven farming communities in Ovia South West Local Government, which claimed 22 lives and left several others injured.

The governor also denounced the killing of two farmers, Batemue Ebo and Christopher Bello, in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government, by suspected herdsmen.

In a statement on Tuesday in Benin by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo vowed that his administration would not tolerate lawlessness and bloodshed in the state.

“We will work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are brought to justice. We will do everything in our power to prevent such incidents from happening again in the future.”

Reports indicated that militants were responsible for the devastating attacks in Ovia South West, where farm produce and buildings worth millions of naira were also destroyed.

Okpebholo said he had ordered the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to the affected areas, in response to the killing.

“We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all Edo State residents. We will work closely with security agencies, traditional leaders, and community members to achieve this goal.”

He directed the provision of support to affected communities and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies in tackling the crisis.

“We urge everyone to remain calm and to go about their normal business. We are doing everything possible to ensure that the situation is brought under control.”

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in a statement,  expressed amazement on what it tagged “the massive killings going on across Edo State” adding that its concern “about  the cluelessness of the government on how to protect the lives and property of Edo people was confirmed.”

A statement by Chris Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP, stated that “Senator Okpebholo who responded to the brutal killing of innocent Edo people, including but not limited to, Batemue Philip Ebo, Christopher Bello, and Victor Ogedengbe, for the first time appeared to be more interested in blaming a government that left office nearly four months ago, than taking responsibility and explaining how he plans to prevent future occurrence. This is profoundly regrettable!!

“Instead  of issuing a strongly-worded message of condolence that shows a copious amount of empathy, Okpebholo who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, started his statement with the display of his morbid obsession with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

PDP asked “what happened to the elaborate surveillance system with cameras and screens, the command and control centre, among others which Obaseki put in place to the envy of the entire country and beyond?

“Why did Okpebholo disarm all the sectors of the Edo State Security Network after dislodging its leadership? Where are all the world-class standard, secure communication devices handed to all sector commanders across the State?”

The PDP called on Governor Okpebholo to take advice from the state Security Council and formulate security protocols and strategies.