Reps ask DHQ to establish military base in Edo community over insecurity

The house of representatives has condemned the insecurity in Esan north-east/Esan south-east federal constituency of Edo state.

During Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers asked the federal government, through the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), to establish a military base in Uromi, Esan north-east LGA to enhance security in the area. 

The house passed the resolution after adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Henry Okojie, a lawmaker from Edo state.

Leading the debate on the motion, Okojie said the insecurity in the area has “reached a critical juncture, with persistent and increasing incidents of killings, kidnappings, and other forms of violence”.

The legislator stated that kidnappings, armed robbery, murder, rape, and cult-related killings occur daily in the area, adding that the police are overwhelmed and unable to control the rising insecurity.

The lawmaker said the increasing rate of insecurity has become unbearable as constituents now live in fear and psychological trauma.

“Numerous people have been killed, and their mutilated bodies have been recovered, showing signs of organ harvesting,” he said.

“These criminals operate predominantly along the rail route from Uzea to Ugboha, Amedokhian, Udo, Eko-Ibadin, and Ubiaja to Ewohimi in the Esan north east/Esan south-east.”

The house adopted the motion after Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker, put it to a voice vote.

Subsequently, the house asked the Department of State Services (DSS), army, police and other agencies to conduct an “intensive” investigation to curb the nefarious activities in the federal constituency.

The house directed its committees on defence, army, national security and intelligence, police, and legislative compliance to investigate the matter and present their findings within four weeks for further legislative action.