Crusaderhotnews
The frontline aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state,
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has condemned the streak of attacks on farmers in
rural communities across the state by herders, with the recent being the
reported murder of two farmers in Ovia North East Local Government earlier
today, Wednesday 15th, on their way to their farms.
Besides, Ize-Iyamu expressed concern over the rising insecurity in the
state characterized by coordinated attacks on persons of interests without
adequate investigation or prosecution, proliferation of arms and attacks
on rural dwellers in farms - factors that aid the outbreak of violence and
threatens the peace, security, and development of the state.
Referencing the situation in other parts of the country, notably Lagos and
Ogun states where gang members are taking advantage of the COVID-19
lockdown to simultaneously raid several communities in a bid to overwhelm
the Police and other security agencies, Pastor Ize-Iyamu expresses worry
that unless the Edo state government set aside its political ambitions and
withdraw support from some of the thugs in possession of dangerous arms in
the state with a view to disarming and prosecuting them, similar events
could be recorded in Edo to the detriment of the people.
Criticizing the nature of politics embraced by the state government where
criminals are allegedly handed dangerous weapons to conduct attacks on
perceived opponents and shielded from arrest and prosecution, Pastor
Osagie Ize Iyamu nurtures fear that beyond their assigned ignoble tasks,
these criminals, still in possession of these weapons, could pose a
dangerous threat to other members of their various communities.
He said: “The spate of violent attacks recorded in Edo state especially on
farmers working to ensure availability of food to their families and in
their communities in light of government failure and restrictions
represents a grave concern and has caused a feeling of helplessness across
the state.”
“Earlier today, I received the unfortunate report of the killing of two
farmers in Ovia North East Local Government by marauding herders. It is
not the first time the state has recorded such deaths and people are
increasingly losing faith in the government’s ability to carry out its
primary objective of protecting their lives and welfare.”
“Only recently, the Governor of the State increased his security vote from
500 million naira monthly to 750 million naira, perhaps in acknowledgment
of the worsening state of security under his watch. Worryingly, this
improvement has sadly not reflected in the sum pledged to security
agencies in the state and even their meager stipends, according to what
I’ve been told, has been irregular.”
“The security outfit purportedly set up by the state government to provide
additional security can only be seen in the capital city of Benin, leaving
the swathe of other residents in the state to their fate. And even in
Benin City, the security outfit concentrates its operation in areas where
senior government officials reside, morphing obviously into private
protection to those who already enjoy cover at the expense of the public.”
“All of these point to an indisputable fact: that the governor is failing
in his duty as the Chief Security Officer of the state; and this portends
great danger if the events witnessed in states like Ogun and Lagos are
considered. I appeal to the Inspector General of Police and other relevant
authorities to come to our aid in Edo state and protect our people –
particularly rural dwellers – from wanton deaths and spiraling violence.”
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