Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu
A founding chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East Zone and former Secretary to Government of Enugu State, Chief Onyemauche Nnamani on Saturday lamented the deteriorating state of security in Edo state resulting in the increased spate of killings along the Benin-Lagos bypass.
Nnamani expressed dismay that Edo state had become notorious and most insecured state in the country despite huge resources available to the state government.
The party leader who spoke in Enugu against the background of the recent killing of a Major Gen. Anene Okolo (rtd.) by yet-to-identified hoodlums along the Benin-Lagos bypass asked Governor Godwin Obaseki to redesign the state’s security system before the situation further degenerates.
He specifically faulted the recent flag-off of the construction of an Industrial Park by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Benin, Edo state, noting that tackling the security crisis in the state should be of utmost priority.
“As I speak, lives are daily being wasted along Benin-Lagos bypass. We only hear of the big names but visit any of the morgues around that area and you will see for yourself the number of people who are killed daily by hoodlums in Edo state. This is totally unacceptable.
“It was in Benin that the wife of the CBN Governor was kidnapped. A civil right activist, Mike Ozekhome was kidnapped there. Gen. Anele Okolo was killed; the mother of the SSG, Edo state was also killed. Should we continue to keep quiet while hoodlums and kidnappers wreck havoc in the system?†he said.
While asking Governor Obaseki to immediately liaise with the federal government and come up with the best way to improve security in Benin City, Nnamani said the flag-off of Industrial Park was a misplaced priority.
The party leader who is also the Chairman of Auto Star Gallery said the most affected are road transport operators who ply the road daily, stressing that innocent persons have been sent to their untimely deaths.
“This governor was quoted as demanding for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in the state. This is really laughable. Let them quickly go and learn from Anambra state on how to keep a state secured,†he said.
