IGP bans Edo security network from guber election

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of Police (IGP), says the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) will not participate in the state’s September 21 governorship election.

Egbetokun disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin on Wednesday.

Egbetokun said the responsibility for securing voters and election materials will rest solely with the police, supported by other national security agencies.

He emphasised that no private or state-owned security organisation would be permitted to operate during and after the election.

“All local security groups in Edo State should refrain from participating in the election. The activities of the Edo State Security Network are suspended and will remain so,” Egbetokun said.

The IGP revealed that 35,000 police officers would be deployed for the election, with an additional 8,000 personnel from other national security agencies providing support.

He said security aides attached to VIPs would also be withdrawn.

However, responding to the IGP, Godwin Obaseki, Edo governor, said Egbetokun has no constitutional power to suspend the ESSN.

In a statement by Crusoe Osagie, special adviser on media project to Obaseki, said: “The Edo state government insists that the ESSN is a body set up by law passed by the Edo state house of assembly”.

“This is tantamount to the IGP disbanding the Western Nigeria security network, popularly known as Operation Amotekun, ahead of the governorship election in Ondo state billed for next month.

“Government notes that it is unconstitutional for the IGP to make such a declaration since Sec 11 (1), Sec 11 (2) empowers the State House of Assembly to set up structures for public safety and security of the state,” he said.

Osagie, however, added that in the interest of peace, the state governor has directed all the officials of the state’s security to proceed on leave from September 11 to September 23, 2024, after the election.