Senator Imasuen Advocates State Policing to Tackle Insecurity, Empowers 100 Constituents With Farm Seedlings

By Simeon OSAJIE

The senator representing Edo South Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, Senator Neda Imasuen has called for the establishment of State Policing as a solution to the increasing insecurity in Nigeria.

Senator Imasuen proposal comes in response to growing concerns about attacks on farmers, particularly by groups of purported hunters from the northern part of the country.

The Senator made the observations during an empowerment programme he organised in Benin City, Edo State capital, where 100 farmers from the seven local government areas that made up  Edo South were provided with seedlings for cashew nuts, coconuts, and vegetables like Okra and ‘Ewedu.’ The programme also aimed to equip local farmers with skills to improve their productivity and support sustainable agriculture.

In his speech, Senator Imasuen underscored the growing threat posed by armed groups, particularly in the southern part of the country, where the invasion of individuals from other regions has raised alarms about their true intentions. He questioned whether these individuals were indeed Nigerians, suggesting that not all may be citizens, which has exacerbated fears and tensions in local communities.

According to him, “These people say they are hunters, but can there be more hunters than the southerners? I don’t think so. For you to leave your region and come deep into the southern forests and claim to be hunting is highly questionable. What do they do with the game they hunt? I don’t see a market where they sell their exploits. It’s confusing to me.”

Drawing attention to the inadequacy of the current policing structure, Senator Imasuen projected that state-level policing could address these issues more effectively. He argued that, with the vast size of Nigeria and the limitations of the national police force, state and even local governments should have their own police forces to ensure the safety of their communities.

“Other countries have local governments with their own police forces. We’ve seen in the western part of Nigeria with the Amotekun Security Network, where trained vigilantes are working effectively to protect their communities. State police would help us safe our homes, streets, and forests. As it stands, the Nigerian Police Force is overstretched and cannot cover every nook and cranny of the country, Imasuen said.

Senator Imasuen acknowledged that state policing comes with both advantages and challenges but insisted that the benefits far outweigh the risks. He also highlighted the efforts of the Edo State Government in reconstituting local vigilante forces to bolster security.

Turning to the theme of self-sufficiency, Senator Neda Imasuen emphasised the importance of agriculture as a means of alleviating poverty and reducing reliance on external food sources. He challenged the beneficiaries of the training to take their responsibilities seriously and use the empowerment opportunities to contribute to the nation’s food security.

According to Imasuen, “A nation that cannot feed itself is in distress. We need to shift our mindset and think about what we can do to help our country grow. A feeding nation starts with individual efforts. If we can produce what we eat locally, we will reduce the strain on our markets and contribute to the economy.”

The empowerment programme also included lectures on agribusiness by Iretiolu Odi, an AgriBusiness development consultant. She spoke on the importance of strategic planning in agriculture, stressing the need for farmers to conduct SWOT analysis (assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) to ensure the profitability of their ventures.

Adekunle Azeez, an expert in agricultural distribution, provided insights into the proper care and growth of seedlings to ensure their maturity.

One of the beneficiaries, Idemudia Osagie, expressed his gratitude for being selected to participate in the programme and vowed to make the most of the opportunity.

“I am excited to be part of this programme, and I will use this chance wisely to improve my farming activities.”

Former Edo State Commissioner for Transportation, Orobosa Omo-Ojo, also commended Senator Nesa Imasuen’s efforts, highlighting his consistent support for his constituents. He pointed out that some beneficiaries from his ward had already begun putting their newly acquired skills to use, generating income and contributing to the local economy.

The training and empowerment programme is part of Imasuen’s ongoing efforts to alleviate poverty and empower constituents to become self-reliant, particularly in the agricultural sector, which remains a crucial part of Edo State’s economy. With his advocacy for state policing, Imasuen hopes to address the root causes of insecurity, ensuring that communities can thrive in a safer and more prosperous environment.