By Eweka Richard
The role of information is key and can’t be overemphasized in the fight against crime and criminality in Nigeria, as credible information helps the relevant security agencies to tackle the rising crime rates and check criminal activities.
The Edo State Special Security Squad codenamed “Operation flush out Kidnappers and Cultists has continued to succeed in all the dangerous operations its members have embarked on across the State. Their mission, is to stop all forms of cult related violence as well as that of kidnapping which before now has placed the State in a bad ranking amongst other States in Nigeria.
Before this present administration led by Governor Monday Okpebholo, Edo State state has been labeled “the home of cultism and cult-related killing” due to the increase in cult killing recorded in the State unchecked by the previous administration.
In time passed, various cult groups had a filled day across streets, communities, villages causing pains, panic, fear, tears as killing almost became a normal activity in the State and Edo State was in the news for the wrong reasons.
Governor Monday Okpebholo came in on November 12, 2024 and declared a total war on cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes which has destroyed the image of the people of Edo State.
Through the Edo State special security squad, the Okpebholo-led administration is winning the war and the State has become peaceful in the last one year and eight months of this present administration as cultists and kidnappers already know their fate if caught and as some renounced their membership others are very careful in their evil acts knowing what will befall them if caught.
The members of the security squad whose activities and actions are being coordinated by Noah Idemudia have continued to apply civility in its operations ensuring that victimization is never part of the code of operation rather they feed on credible intelligence and the right information to pick on their target as principles are strictly followed not to violate the law.
The security squad are made up of intelligent men who as soon as information gets to them are assessed carefully to verify the authenticity of the information. When it’s certified to be credible, they begin to fix missing pieces of the information through intelligence strategy as the outcome leads them to the target and without wasting time, the team strike without any bias.
Sometimes the operation is carried out intelligently and the Principal Security Officer (PSO) who is in charge of the operation splits the entourage into two separate parts. One squad moves ahead as an advance team with fully armed security men made of a joint team of Army, Police, Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), Edo State security corp, (ESSC), local hunters if they need calls for it.
They strike the location with purpose ensuring that the target is not missed and suspects apprehended, this is done with precision to ensure the wrong person is not the target or involved in maintaining the laws of engagement.
The engagement with these heartless cultists, kidnappers and criminal elements who enjoy shedding of human blood is most time very dangerous as these criminals will do anything to escape arrest including exchange of gun fire with security agencies to invade arrest.
Suspect in the radar of the team determines the time and level of operation the team will be embarking on. sometimes early in the morning and at other times late into the dead of the night. Members of the squad risk it all to ensure that Edo State is free from crime and criminality as governor Monday Okpebholo has promised Edo people that his administration will fight cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes to a stand still.
The squad has continued to succeed in every operation not minding the difficult location the suspects hideout is, determination, zeal and courage keeps the team going to accomplish their target at each given time.
It has been a success story all the way without any casualty but rather members that sustain injuries in some operations recovered and bounced back to active duties.
The collaboration of Edo people in giving the team useful and credible information has brought successes to its operations since it was established by governor Monday Okpebholo.
Information has continued to be the map of operation for the squad who appealed for more information encouraging members of the public to come forward providing the needed information to catch these criminals who live amongst the people, noting that collaboration is the only sure way to succeed in the fight to keep Edo safe.
The Noah Idemudia and other members of the security squad work hard day and night to ensure that the mandate of governor Monday Okpebholo is carried out in totality and achieved in accordance with the plan of the SHINE agenda of the administration securing the lives and properties of Edo people.
Law and order have been restored across Edo State by the Monday Okpebholo led administration as violent killing by cultists and kidnappers is now a thing of the pass in the State with Edo people now sleeping with two eyes closed knowing that the Edo Special security squad are watching keenly to ensure a safe Edo State.