The Edo State Government has unveiled plans to engage 5,400 members of a local security network across all 18 local government areas.
The Commissioner for Security and Public Safety, Festus Ebea, disclosed this during a press briefing held on Wednesday in Benin City.
According to Ebea, each local government council has been instructed to recruit and integrate no fewer than 300 security operatives into their workforce, ensuring even distribution and local ownership of the initiative.
“This brings the total to 5,400 personnel who will form an integral part of the local government system,” he stated. The new recruits are expected to receive comprehensive equipping, including raincoats, boots, torchlights, and other essential gear to enable effective operations during the rainy season and nighttime patrols.
The announcement comes on the heels of the recent temporary closure of three schools following credible intelligence about potential kidnapping threats, underscoring the government’s proactive stance on protecting residents.
At the state level, the government has already onboarded 500 forest guards, with plans to scale this up to 1,000 in response to a directive from the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu. The initial batch of 500 operatives, trained at the Ogida Police Training School, has been deployed to high-risk zones, particularly border communities in Etsako East, Etsako West, and Akoko-Edo Local Government Areas. Hotspots such as Ibera Camp and Ibera-Teguzu are receiving special attention due to reported spikes in criminal activities.
“Our goal is to make the forests unsafe for criminals while securing farmlands and protecting our hard-working farmers,” Ebea emphasized.
The Commissioner also drew a strong link between drug abuse and rising violent crimes, including kidnapping. He revealed that the ministry is ramping up operations against drug peddlers, with many suspects being handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for prosecution. Ebea urged the NDLEA to ensure swift justice, noting that substance abuse frequently fuels serious offenses.
He highlighted seamless collaboration between the state and federal security apparatus — including the Nigeria Police, military, Civil Defence Corps, and Department of State Services (DSS). Ongoing operations, such as covert “bush-combing” exercises, are being conducted discreetly to preserve tactical advantage.
In the same briefing, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, appealed to media practitioners to prioritize accuracy and verification in their reporting. He cautioned against publishing unverified claims without cross-checking with relevant authorities.
“Journalists should interrogate events thoroughly rather than accepting information at face value,” Afegbua advised.
He cited a recent incident at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where initial reports erroneously claimed that 50 students were affected. According to him, only 17 students were involved: 15 were discharged the same day, and the remaining two the following day, with no loss of life recorded.
Afegbua also dismissed a statement issued by a group claiming to represent registered political parties, describing the group as unrecognized and prone to spreading misinformation.
He reiterated that prompt payment of workers’ salaries, including those of teachers, remains a top priority of the administration, debunking rumors of any outstanding obligations.