Security Matters: Dr Kelly Inedegbor Visits Elders in Amendokhian Community amidst Security Challenges
…..seriously disturbed about the kidnapping for ransom of farmers in the community
….sends his condolence message to the family where the man and his wife were kidnapped in their farm only the wife came out alive
….urges the community to set up community Vigilante to tackle this ugly incident
Friday 10th May 2024
The Esan North East Council Boss visited the Elders in Amendokhian community alongside with all the security chiefs serving in Uromi to address the rate of incessant kidnapping for ransom currently going on in the community.
The chairman while addressing the elders lamented at the high rate of kidnapping of farmers in their farm lands and later demand for ransom thereby placing a huge burden on the family of the victim who will resort to selling their properties to get their loved ones out of the den of Kidnappers. He said the story is not pleasant to hearing and there’s need for everyone to join hands together to put an end to this.
Noting the danger this will cause if not addressed, the council boss said Amendokhian contributes a high percentage to the food value chain in Uromi saying If the farm land becomes unsafe, then there’s food insecurity to fight in couple of months to come.
On managing security information, Dr Kelly wasn’t pleased that cases like kidnapping is not been reported to the police for prompt action as he got to know of such on social media. As someone who’s versatile with social media, once he reads such messages, he swiftly respond by calling the DPO only to get a feedback that no such incidence occurred in the community. He pleaded with the elders to always report security cases to the Police.
Speaking on the purpose of his coming, the council boss pleaded with the elders to set up a community base vigilante group that will compliment the efforts of other Security agencies citing Obeidu community as an example of one of the communities In Uromi with a community based Vigilante group. Due to the critical moment we are, the chairman advised this should be done as soon as possible.
Dr Kelly used the opportunity to brief the elders that the abandoned Police station in Amendokhian community has been completely renovated by his administration as part of his bargain to the Police Force before mobile policemen can be drafted to Uromi to help curtail this kidnapping cases been recorded in Uromi. He assured them that the team of mobile policemen would soon be deployed from Benin to the community.
Responding to the visit, speaker after speaker took out time to commend the chairman for the visit and informed him that plans are in advanced stage to getting a solution to the security challenges bedeviling the community.
The elders in Amendokhian community expressed their dissatisfaction about the attitude of policemen in Uromi as the reason why they don’t report cases to them anymore rather, they resort to self help and social media to cry out to the world for help and assistance.
One of the elders shared a harrowing experience a kidnapped female victim passed through in the hands of a police officer when she went to incident a case in the past. The experience according to the elder wasn’t palatable and also discouraging.
In reaction to the experience, the council boss drew the attention of the DPO and he promised to look into it when he gets to his office while assuring the community that such occurrence won’t happen any more.
Source: Okonofua Harry Osemobor
Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman
