Edo begins training for community policing officials

The Edo State Government has started a two-week course for members of the Edo State Security Network that covers handling weapons and gathering intelligence, among other topics.

Speaking to reporters at the program’s opening at the Police Training School in Ogida, Benin City, the Coordinator of the Edo State Security Network, Col. Kole Omomia (retd.), said the initiative would strengthen state government efforts to combat crime.

He said that the training was conducted in accordance with Governor Godwin Obaseki’s directive to upskill the security architecture, better preparing the operatives to deal with intricate security scenarios.

“This is a two-week intensive training program aimed at training our operatives, consisting of hunters and other groups in the Edo State Security Network, to have more skills,” stated Omomia. As a form of community-based security architecture, they are intended to function within their local communities.

“The training is conducted in batches, and there are currently 580 trainees spread across Edo North’s six local government areas. This first batch consists of 78 hunters and 502 other operatives.

“They will receive training in human rights, changing attitudes toward strangers, protecting lives and property, handling weapons, gathering intelligence, getting to know people in their neighborhood to recognize suspicious strangers, physical training, and ranger skills, while the hunters will be trained to be bush combing experts because they are accustomed to the surrounding bushes and forests.”

The coordinator promised that the senatorial districts of Edo Central and Edo South would subsequently receive the training.

He said, “There have been ongoing kidnappings and killings along the axis, which is why Edo North was chosen first.” The area’s proximity to the borders of Edo State and other states makes fortification essential as well.

Edo South is not being ignored. Johnson Osahen, also known as Small Baba, has made untrue claims. He belonged to the Edo State Security Network in Egor and was one of our sector commanders. However, he was placed on indefinite suspension after numerous petitions were filed against him because of his mischievousness and use of authority to threaten civilians.”