Edo State: Aftermath of Attack on Personnel, Army Vows to Deal with Criminals Thwarting it's Activities

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By Reporter

The Nigerian Army says it would deal decisively with criminals that attempted to thwart its activities and other security agencies in Edo State.

MidWest Herald reports that the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Onubogu, made the remarks on Friday during a courtesy visit on the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House in Benin City.

Recalls that some unknown youths had on June 7, 2024 attacked Nigerian Army personnel attached to Okomu Oil Palm Plc, in Ovia South West Local Government Area, injured three officers while their boats were destroyed.

The condition of the two wounded Soldiers were said to be worse while the other was not.

Onubogu, who thanked the state governor for the support he has given to the Army in the discharge of its duties in safeguarding the federation, particularly the people in Edo State, said he had also visited the Oba of Benin to convey the same message to him.

According to him, we have had recent clashes where a few misguided youths have attacked our men. This is quite unacceptable.

“I have conveyed that to His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki. Going forward, we are hoping such incidents will not occur again and if it does occur, we will take decisive actions to stop all criminals who attempt to thwart the activities of the Army and other security agencies within Edo State.

“We will continue to work with the people and the State Government to ensure things remain calm in the State. I also visited the Oba of Benin where I also conveyed this message and he re-assured me that the people will work with us towards safety and security in the State.

“We are glad that all sectors in the State, be it government and traditional, are working towards the same purpose. We hope to see peace and safety continue in the State”, he said.

On his part, the State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, vowed that the State Government would collaborate with security agencies to flush out criminal gangs in the State.

Obaseki said, the State Government would not accept a similar incident that happened in the Okomu area where Okaigheles and militant groups shot at soldiers.

He added that the State Government is collaborating with all security agencies to go after all those that were involved in the incident.

“I have been privileged this morning to receive, in our office, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2, Division, Nigeria Army, Major General Obinna Onubogu. He is on an inspection of his area of command.

“The military has been of great support to our security efforts in Edo State. The Brigade Commander is a member of our State Security Council and they have provided tremendous backup and support to the other security agencies in the State.

“Last week, we had an unfortunate incident in the Okomu area where militants and some community youths shot at some soldiers and fortunately there was no casualty. We are going after all those that were involved in the incident.

“We will not accept the level of arms build-up by cultists and Okaigheles in Edo State and Edo State Government wants to reiterate that with the backing of the Military, we will go after criminal gangs who are constituting a nuisance in Edo State and building up arms in our State to terrorize citizens”,he stated.

The Governor, who thanked the GOC for the visit, assurance and support to security efforts in the State, assured that his government would always work closely with the military and other security agencies, and provide the needed support to all State and Federal security agencies to enable government to perform its duties as a government to protect lives and property of Edo citizens.

MidWest Herald reported that the State Governor had raised the alarm over the alleged activities of Okaigheles and cultists in communities in Edo South senatorial district that had led to the death of no fewer than 150 lives.

It also recalled that the governor had announced the banning of the Okaigheles (youth leaders) in the senatorial district as part of a renewed effort to tackle cultism in the State.