Governor Godwin Obaseki announced that the Edo State Government’s partnership with various security forces, including the local vigilante groups, has enhanced the state’s peace, security, and safety.
He made this known while hosting Major General Obinna Onubogu, the Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, and other senior military officers at the Government House in Benin City for a courtesy visit on Thursday.
Governor Obaseki praised the Army for its ongoing support and significant contributions to the state’s security framework, stating that their efforts have substantially fostered peace and safety across Edo State.
“We are enjoying peace, security, and safety in Edo State today largely because of the backing of the military and other federal security agencies.
“The security situation in Edo State today particularly vis-a-vis or relative to states around our zone, has tremendously improved. You will agree with us that Edo is relatively peaceful and one of the safest States in Nigeria.
“We didn’t achieve this on our own but we have support from security agencies and one of these support structures is the Army. The level of collaboration, intervention, and support from the military authority is largely responsible for the peace and safety we experienced in Edo State.
“A few years ago, we had lots of kidnapping incidents internally within the state as you couldn’t travel from Benin to Auchi for instance without fear of being kidnapped. But today, working with the Military and setting up the Military Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Ehor we no longer hear of such incidents.
“Also in the western flank in the State, like Sobe and the Odighi area, you know perennially at the crisis of militancy and, terrorism attacks, these criminals come in ransacking villages, farms but working with the military we were able to scuttle their plans. We have a temporary FOB already in these areas and we will be building a permanent one there.
“We have recorded tremendous successes as companies are now relocating to this axis. What is left is the northern border with Kogi State around the Akoko-Edo axis as we are putting our heads together with General Officer Commanding the Division to see how to take charge of the security situation in that part of the State”.
Governor Godwin Obaseki discussed his administration’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and secure governorship election in Edo State, stating, “following the security architecture our government has put in place and the resilience we have built into the system, what we have today in our security architecture will put us through as security in the state is intact.
Earlier, Major General Obinna Onubogu expressed that his visit to the governor was part of a familiarization tour after he took over as the Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army approximately a month ago.
He expressed gratitude towards Governor Obaseki and his administration for the continuous support which has significantly contributed to maintaining peace and security in the state.
“I have just taken over about a month ago as the General Officer Commanding 2 Division Nigerian Army. This visit to His Excellency is to familiarise myself and inform him officially that I have taken over 2 Division. Edo State happens to be one of the States which is within the area of responsibility of 2 Division,” he said.
“Edo State Government has been very supportive as the Nigerian Army has benefited from the government. The government has supported through 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Military Hospital, Benin, and several other establishments in Edo State.
“The government has also supported the Army in the area of communication with our operations and also supporting some of our bases. This has improved security and also curbed some of the excesses of criminal elements within the State.
“The Army will continue to provide support for the government and other sister security agencies in the State whenever we are called upon. The Army base we have set up within the State is active and ready to spring into action when needed, to ensure the wish of the people for a peaceful state come to pass”.