Edo Community Writes Tinub, Police IG, To Establish Counter Terrorism Unit Base In Owan Land

OPEN LETTER OF APPEAL TO PRESIDENT TINUBU, POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION, INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE 

His Excellency,
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Rock,
Abuja

The Chairman,
Chief Dr. Solomon E. Arase, CFR, NPM, fdc, (IGP, Rtd),
Police Service Commission,
Federal Secretariat Complex,
Abuja.

The Inspector-General of Police,
IGP KAYODE ADEOLU EGBETOKUN,Ph.D, NPM
Louis Edet House,
Shehu Shagari Way,
Central Business District,
Area 11 Abuja,

Dear Sir,

THE URGENT NEED TO ESTABLISH/COMMISSION THE NIGERIA POLICE COUNTER TERRORISM UNIT (CTU) BASE IN OWAN LAND TO CLAMPDOWN ON KIDNAPPINGS, ARMED ROBBERY, BANDITRY, CULTISM/SECURITY CHALLENGES IN OWAN WEST/OWAN EAST AND THE ENTIRE EDO STATE. 

I wish to bring, to your notice, the issue of kidnappings, Armed robbery, Cult killings, Banditry and other Security challenges in Edo State.

As concerned citizens of Nigeria, particularly, as indigenes/residents of Edo state, it is disheartening to realize that kidnappings, armed robbery, cultism, and other forms of criminal activity have eaten deep into the state and have continued to threaten the safety of lives and property.

The unhealthy development had posed a threat to the peaceful existence and security of lives and property in the State.

“As a border Local Government with porous borders, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals fleeing from the actions of Amotekun in Ondo State have now fled into Owan West & Owan East Local Government Areas Of Edo State. to continue their nefarious activities.

“The abduction and kidnapping have become more indiscriminate across the two local government areas as these criminal gangs view victims as a source of income.

“If this spate of kidnappings and abductions are not nipped in the bud, it poses the potential of crippling socio-economic activities in the area”.

These criminals have set up camps in forests and carry out their heinous crimes from there. The incidents of robbery and kidnapping have been on the rise in recent times, most of the cases are either unreported or unsolved.

The Akure-Uzebba-Ekpoma, Afuze-Uokha-Auchi, and Sabongida-Ozalla roads are known hotspots for these crimes.

On April 14, 2021, Dr. Blessing Aidenoje, a Medical Microbiologist at Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma Edo State was abducted along Ozalla/Sabo Road in Owan West Local Government Area, while a Council worker and his child were abducted along Sabo/Uzebba Road and whisked off to unknown locations.

Otuo/Ihievbe-Ogbe roads, as well as Uokha/Afuze roads in Owan East Local Government Area, had become the operational grounds of the kidnappers, who had made the villagers live in constant fear for their lives.

Over 12 people including a nine year-old girl were reportedly kidnapped along the Auchi-Ihievbe-Afuze Road linking Etsako West and Owan East local government area of Edo state between 6 and 7 pm on Tuesday, May 4, 2023.

The kidnapped passengers were said to be travelling to Auchi when the gunmen emerged from the bush, forced their vehicle to a halt and led them into the bush.

In another sad event armed men suspected to be fulani herders, on Tuesday, 5th March 2023 invaded Sobe in Owan West Local Government area of Edo State.

The attackers left a villager injured and many others displaced.

Also in 2019 Unknown gunmen abducted the All Progressives Congress ( APC) candidate for the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Michael Ohio-Ezomon, from his house at Eme-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of the state.

Recalling that Chapter 2, Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) stated that the security of lives and property was one of the primary responsibilities of the state, this phenomenon has led to numerous loss of lives across the country, largely due to lapses in our security network.

“The OYC is convinced that proactive rather than reactive measures would go a long way in mitigating insecurity in various parts of Owan West & Owan East LGA's.

Despite the efforts of the Community Leaders, Local and Edo State Government, the rate of killings, kidnappings, and armed robberies in Owan West & Owan East Local Government Area is alarming.

There are about 121 communities in Owan West & Owan East Local Government Area alone, and the people living in these areas are constantly living in fear due to the activities of this armed fulani herders and other criminal elements.

As concerned citizens, we appeal to you to take action by establishing a Counter Terrorism Unit of The Nigeria Police Force in the area. This will go a long way in strengthening security and curbing the activities of these criminal elements in Edo State entirely.

We believe that everyone living in Owan Land and other areas of the state will be appreciative and relieved if these issues are considered and acted upon.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Felix O. Esezobor
08065021331
The Converner
Owan Youth Council

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