Paschal Emeka, Abuja
The House of Representatives has called on the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to provide a Nigeria Army barrack or a Forward Operating Base (FOB) and a Police Mobile Force Base respectively within Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State.
This was a sequel to a motion of urgent public importance by Hon. Sergius Ose Ogun, the lawmaker representing Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency of Edo State, during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.
While raising the motion entitled, “Need to Beef up Security Formations in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State,” Hon. Ogun noted that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that the security and welfare of the people of Nigeria shall be the primary purpose of governance of the Federation or any part thereof as enshrined in section 4(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
He, therefore, expressed worry over the incessant spate of kidnappings, armed robbery attacks, and insecurity generally in the country, especially in Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State, thus leading to the loss of lives, and properties and causing palpable fear and apprehension among residents.
The lawmaker informed that on Monday, January 9, 2023, Mrs. Precious Aigbonog, the President of the Customary Court was kidnapped on her way to court around Ugoneki Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State.
He further informed that a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Festus Edughele, was also kidnapped on January 9, 2023, at Ugoneki town on his way to board a flight to Abuja in Benin City.
“Disturbed that these sad incidents occurred two days after 20 train passengers were kidnapped at the Igueben Train Station while waiting to board a train to Warri, Delta State.
“Appreciating the concerted effort by the team of Nigeria Army and Nigeria Police Force which led to the rescue of the President of the Igueben Customary Court and Mr. Festus Edughele as well as 18 out of the 20 train passengers kidnapped.
“Saddened by the death of DSP Michael Adams during the rescue operation by the Nigerian Army and the Police officers as a result gun duel with the kidnappers.
“Cognizant of the urgent need to beef up security formations in the entirety of Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State to forestall kidnappings and eradicate other acts of criminality in Esan land and Edo State.
“Convinced that the setting up of a Police Mobile Force Base and a Nigeria Army Barracks/Forward Operating Base (FOB) within Edo Central Senatorial District will go a long way in wadding off perpetrators of crimes and criminality from Esan land and Edo State in general, ” he concluded.
Consequently, the House observed a minute of silence in honor of the deceased police officer, DSP Michael Adams, who paid the supreme sacrifice while in active service.
The lawmakers urged the Inspector General of Police to deploy more mobile Police personnel to Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State and
also urged the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to set up a Nigeria Army Barracks or a Forward Operating Base (FOB) and a Police Mobile Force Base respectively within Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State.
Finally, the House mandated the Committees on Army and Police Affairs to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action