Criminals have held Edo State by the jugular carrying on as though they are beyond the law, but the state government is set to battle them to a standstill with Operation wabaizigan, writes OSAGIE OTABOR reports
“Wabaizigan”, the Bénin word meaning ‘stop all bad things’, is the code name for the new security architecture recently unveiled by Governor Godwin x Obaseki. In the past Edo State had “Operation Thunderstorm’ under Adams Oshiomhole and “Operation Wipe” during the administration of Chief Lucky Igbinedion.
Before Monday’s unveiling of the new security architecture, Governor Obaseki has been blamed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party of not spending money especially from the alleged N400m monthly security vote. Cult related killings, armed robbery and kidnapping have been on the rise in the state.
Both “Operation Wipe” and “Operation Thunderstorm” made some achievements but the structure of the “Operation Wabaizigan” is different as the first batch of 3000 youths trained in intelligence gathering and community policing were part of the structure. To show his commitment to the success of the security structure, Governor Godwin Obaseki launched the Security Trust Fund with a commitment of N2 billion seed fund in next year’s budget.
Obaseki also purchased and donated 50 special security cars fitted with modern communication and security gadgets; 30 Toyota Hilux patrol vans; 30 patrol motor bikes, three Tropicalised Armoured Personnel Carriers and three Ambulances.
There would be an Integrated Command and Control Centre and five special security check points to be manned at all the entry and exit points in the state. There would also be Special Patrol Units in both the land and waterways as well as an Integrated Electronic City Surveillance Unit. A Special Force unit/anti-kidnapping squad was established and a K-9 unit supported by paramedics unit and 1000 members of the Public Works Volunteers (PUWOV) scheme who were trained at the Police Training School. They are to be provided with a community police radio network.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Bénin City, Governor Obaseki said it was to ensure that various security outfits in the state lived up to their responsibilities in dealing with the security challenges such as kidnapping, armed robbery, car theft and other social vices.
Governor Obaseki urged various stakeholders including traders, market women and other well established institutions and organizations to join his administration in the task of making life and living meaningful for the people and a secure society by pooling their resources and provision of vital information to boost the government’s ideal initiative.
Obaseki said the new security structure was in fulfillment of the promises he made to people of the state during his electoral campaign to turn the state around by fashioning out ways to deal with key development challenges adding that the new security architecture would address the long overdue challenges in tackling violent crimes and other vices.
The Edo Governor promised not to relent in his assistance to various security agencies to be more functional with concerted efforts to circumvent crime and criminalities with the deployment of accurate operational materials and equipment fit for security purposes to pave way for combating security challenges facing the state and the nation.
Governor Obaseki noted that it was imperatives that security councils in the 18 local government areas, traditional rulers, hunters and vigilante groups provide the security outfits with vital information towards achieving round the clock results.
According to him, “We decided therefore that the new security architecture is something that we must do as a matter of priority and importance. Indeed we are making our equivocal statement about our commitment to improve our vital institutions and processes upon which these institutions are based.
“Apart from the police, Military, Department of State Security and other security agencies, we are recruiting 100 young men and women from each ward across Edo State. The first 1,000 of them have been recruited and trained by the Nigeria Police, as they will help in intelligence gathering, and monitoring of government assets across the state. We believe by involving the community, we would be able to obtain enough information as to what is going on in the state. The effectiveness of our new strategy is based on community participation.”
He praised Chairman of the Edo State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede for kickstarting and donating N200 million to the fund and pledged to do everything within its powers to secure the Heart Beat state as a nodal or get way to other states across the country.
The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Inyang, hailed the Governor for embarking on what he termed ambitious project and urged the private sector to support the fund to bolster policing across the state.
“We are very happy to witness this wonderful gesture. I want to call on all on other private and public enterprises to support this initiative so that what succeeded in Lagos will also succeed in Edo State. Gone are the days that people left policing for the police alone. I also want to thank the Chairman of the Trust Fund for deeming it fit to come and assist the state.
“With the launch of this security architecture, Edo people and residents will now sleep with their eyes closed. I am also aware that gun boats have been procured in addition to the vehicles and other equipment we are launching today.
“This means we will be able to cover activities on land and sea which will be augmented with aerial surveillance using the Police helicopter. With all these efforts, Edo will become very safe for everyone. The security architecture will ginger security agencies to collaborate more, and where there is collaboration there will be coordination among us.”
Aig-Imoukhuede who was former Managing Director of Access Bank said he was instrumental to the establishment and success of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. He assured that he would join efforts with other Edo sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora to replicate the success story of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, in Edo State.
“I and the companies I represent donate the sum of N200 million to the fund. I call on citizens of Edo State to join hands with the Edo State government and all the security agencies to make the state safe and peaceful for all.
“This process is not for the government alone but also for the private sector, companies and individuals to join hands with the state government in pushing the agenda for a peaceful Edo State.”
Edo State Police Commissioner of Police Johnson Kokumo commended the governor for the support he has extended to the police command, which he said has made the state safer for residents.