••• Demand Deployment of security personnel
The House of Representatives has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to deploy additional security personnel to the Okpekpe community, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, given the recent killings of innocent persons by suspected herdsmen.
The resolution of the Committee followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, representing Esan West/Esan East/Igueben Federal Constituency, Edo State, Mr Marcus Onobun.
Drumming support for the motion on Wednesday, Onobun lamented that Edo State, hitherto known for its peaceful ambience, is gradually becoming a troubled spot owing to the violent campaign of herdsmen.
He said, “The House is disturbed that the heartbeat of the nation is losing its rhythmic pulse as the state has in recent times been clobbered by dire insecurity challenges.
“According to a report published in the online Leadership Newspaper on 26th February 2025, over 32 persons have lost their lives in the state due to the activities of marauders, popularly referred to as killer herdsmen.
“The House notes that the report alleged that two Indigenous individuals in the Okpekpe community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State were gruesomely murdered on Monday, 24th February 2025, by suspected killer herdsmen.
“Similarly, the report also alleged that no fewer than 28 persons were left dead after a violent clash between cocoa farmers and Ijaw militants in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.”
He said, “The House is worried that this series of bloodbaths in Edo State has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among the people of the state, affecting the socio-economic lives of the people.
“We are disturbed that the Government of Edo seemed to have been overwhelmed by the spate and frequency of these killings, hence the need for the Federal Government to lend a helping hand to the state to curb this ugly menace.”
Following the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Inspector General of Police to deploy additional security personnel and intensify intelligence gathering and surveillance operations in identified flashpoints within Edo State.
