By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Sunday March 30, 2025, decried the near total collapse of the Edo State Security Architecture under Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Party’s position is coming against the backdrop of the gruesome killing on Thursday March 27 of 16 Northern travelers by a mob, including some members of local vigilante groups in Uromi, Esan North East Local Council of the State.
The travelers who were burnt by their attackers were said to have been mistaken for kidnappers.
Amidst widespread indignation and condemnation of the action, Governor Okpebholo on Saturday announced the suspension of the operations of what he called illegal vigilante and other local security networks in the state under whatever guise .
The Governor also suspended the Commander of the Edo State Security Corps, Friday Ibadin ,a retired Commissioner of Police.
But in a statement on Sunday by its spokesperson, the Edo State Chapter of the PDP, blamed what it described as the uncoordinated and lackluster All Progressive Congress administration for the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the state.
The party regretted that the killing of some innocent Northern travelers resulted from the alarming increase in criminal activities since the advent of Governor Okpebholo’s Government.
According to the PDP, the ugly security situation has been compounded by a plethora of security organizations operating in the State without any oversight and regulations
“The recent Government’s classification of the perpetrators as illegal vigilante groups only further exposes the absence of a coherent framework under the current administration and a continuation of the blame game this Government has come to master.
“The suspension of of the Commander of the Edo state Security Corps ,CP Friday Ibadin rtd, is a clear admission by the Government that security architecture of the State has failed.
“The February 5 mutiny by members of the Edo State Security Corps was an early warning sign of deep-rooted inefficiencies ,yet Senator Monday Okpebholo chose to ignore it.
“Now, Edo people are paying the price with their lives. It is particularly distressing that a vigilante group, operating without oversight or proper registration was allowed to take up arms and engage in extra-judicial killings.
“This is an indictment of the Okpebholo’ administration’s failure to properly regulate ,train ,and coordinate security efforts in the State.
“In the light of this, the PDP demands some urgent measures to restore sanity and prevent any further loss of innocent lives .
“The demands include a comprehensive Audit and Overhaul of the Edo state Security Corps .The security structure must be reviewed to eliminate unregistered groups and ensure accountability in operations.
“Immediate Arrest and Prosecution of all perpetrators of the killings of the travelers .The Government must ensure that all those responsible for the Uromi killings,including their sponsors ,face the full weight of the law.
“Deployment of Federal Security Agencies: Given the State Government’s apparent inability to maintain law and order, Federal intervention is now necessary to stabilize the situation.
” Implementation of a new security strategy: The PDP calls for a non-partisan security summit involving all stakeholders -traditional rulers ,community leaders ,security agencies and opposition parties ,to map out an effective security blueprint for the state”, the PDP statement reads in part.
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