By Simeon OSAJIE
The Edo State Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Hon. Festus Ebea on Wednesday disclosed that government has engaged 500 Forest Guards in addition to the 500 personnel recently approved for the State by the Federal Government, totally 1000 to secure the bushes across the state and keep them safe.
He made the disclosure during the regular press briefing by the Ministry of Information and Strategy in Benin City, the state capital.
Ebea stated that the guards going by government’s operational designs would have their offices in the forest in order to protect faring communities especially those located in black spots around the state’s boundaries with neighbouring states.
He said that the government has also discovered in recent times some forms of collaboration by some youths in the state with the invading criminal elements whom he noted assist them in the kidnap of helpless residents in the state.
According to him, “As at today the government has engaged 300 Edo State Security Network officers each in the eighteen local government area totally 5,400 officers in the state.
Going further, the commissioner stated that some of the present killings in the state were drugs induced, adding that the state was going after and would not spare anyone when caught.
Ebea said in order to properly secure the state that the state government is in collaboration with security agents to ensure all nooks and crannies across the state are combed to safeguard the communities.
While appealing to Edo State people to oblige the security agents of relevant information that can lead to the arrest of criminal elements in the state, he assured that such information at their door step are managed with absolute confidentiality.
He said the ministry remains committed to programmes that will enhance safety of Edo people.
The Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Hon. Kazeem Afegbua had earlier told journalists that Governor Monday Okpebholo is determined to extend development across the state, adding that no local government would be left out.
He disclosed that the state government is not owing the newly recruited 5,000 teachers who were casuals in the last regime that were recently absolved by the state government, adding that if there is any that is having problem with payment, he or she should find out why.