A university don, from the Department of History and International Studies, University of Benin, Prof. Benson Osarhieme Osadolor, has called on Edo state government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident of criminals escape from police cell and the jail break that occurred during the #ENDSARS protest.
Prof. Osadolor also appealed to the Edo state government to set up an Independent Judicial lnquiery to look at what really happened during the incident.
The academic don who made the statements Friday in a town hall meeting on security tagged: ” Niger Delta Dialogue on Edo State Policy Advocacy Committee (EDOPAC)”, Benin city, said the total neglect of Niger Delta has led to insecurity in the region.
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” The issue of escaped of criminals in police cell and jail break during #ENDSARS protest is amazing. I agree with you. The process has started. There should be an independent judicial inquiring to look at the issues and what happened.”
” How do you expect that a whole department of state service, the police and other security agencies didn’t know there is going to be a jail break, is embarrassing. “
“There supposed to be an intelligent report that such thing is going to happen. Intelligent report is very vital and we should be able to coordinate the intelligent report of all our security agencies to ensure the safety of the lives and properties of Edolites.
“for now the neighborhood watch would have been a better alternative to fight against armed robbers, kidnappers, and all other crimes in the state. “
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“The issue of underdevelopment in the Niger Delta is a great Problem to insecurity. That is why there has been intervention agency like NDDC. It’s unfortunately NDDC has failed the people. It is sad and it’s our people who are in charge of this agency,” he said.
Prof. Benson Osarhieme Osadolor suggested that various wards and communities should come together to form their local security to ensure peace, stability and development in their different areas.
Speaking, Bishop Osadolor Ochei, the Interim Chairman , Edo Civil Society Organizations, lamented that the security situation in Edo State is deficient.
Bishop appealed to the state government to assist the vigilant groups with guns and other sophisticated tools to make them fight crime in the state.
He added that the vigilant groups need both the community and government supports to fight crime in their various locality.
On his part, comrade Ogbidi Emmanuel, Ag. President, Network of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria, decried the high rate of armed robbery, kidnapping, and cultism in the state.
Comrade Ogbidi who suggested that there should be a modern ways to discourage cultism in the state, said government should look for ways to curb the menace.
Comrade Cynthia Buluebiere Bright, the Chief Executive Officer, Gbolekekro Women Empowerment, called for collaboration between all the security agencies in order to fight crime and criminality in the state.
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For jail break saga, she expressed disappointment that government failed to set up independent panel to look into how the incident happened, saying there could be conspiracy.
Former NLC chairman in Edo State, Anthony Kaduna Eboigbodin, said to fight crime in the state everyone must take up the responsibility, adding that security is everybody business.
Also speaking, representive of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Comrade Benbowe, said if security is everybody business government must release funds to tackle insecurity in the state.
He said insecurity can render the state underdevelopment if adequate steps are not taking to stop the menace.
Explaining government side, the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa, said the state government did not really have absolute control of security in Edo State.
Okungbowa called on all stakeholders in the state to collectively take the issue of insecurity serious.
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