By METROWATCH
As tension continues to grip the residents of Benin city and environs over the activities of the state-controlled Edo Vigilantes Services and cult members, Akugbe Movement, has called on the federal government to declare state of emergency in the state to avert the looming violence ahead of September governorship election.
The socio-cultural group based in the capital city of Benin said Edo state has become a beehive of unbearable cult related activities with a high influx of armed hoodlums entering the state from different parts of the country in addition to the increasing menace of Edo State Vigilante Services.
National Coordinator of the Akugbe Movement, Chief Osaro Idemudia also called on security agencies to flush out hoodlums suspected to be cult members that have entered the state ahead of the planned protests by youths in August, pointing accusing fingers at the Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki as a major sponsor of the nationwide exercise.
Idemudia also advised the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu and other security agencies to cancel the proposed REMA concert scheduled for 30th of August 2024, at the Ogbe Stadium in Benin City, saying the event will be counterproductive to the peace of the state especially with elections in September.
The concert he said was a rally point for the cult boys who are everywhere in the state, and working together under the aegis of Rainbow movement.
“I have never seen a situation where cult boys would now come together under one association which they call Rainbow movement,” he said.
He criticized the security agencies for keeping a blind eye to the nefarious activities of these cult boys and the Edo Vigilante.
“The Edo Vigilante have become another cult group because they carry arms and shoot indiscriminately in broad daylight as a way of intimidating people in public functions.”
He added that, the activities of the Edo Vigilante added to the already dangerous situation occasioned by the constant cult-related activities, would make the September election a violent one.
“Considering that Edo state has become too volatile with frequent secret cult clashes that have claimed over 150 lives since January 2024 as revealed by Governor Godwin Obaseki, there is need to declare state of emergency across the state,” Idemudia stated.
“In 2004, only about three persons were killed in the streets of Jos when President Olusegun Obasanjo declared state of emergency in Plateau state. But the Jos situation is a child’s play compared to what we now have in Edo today.”
“With over 150 persons killed by cultists in Edo state and the numerous kidnapping and armed robberies, Edo state is turning into a lawless place, yet the security agencies are pretending that all is well.”
“We want to tell President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that all is not well in Edo state. In some places, members of the public have taken to jungle justice so that they can sleep with their two eyes closed.”
“As it is now, many residents are already afraid of the September election, and this may result in voter apathy. INEC has also declared that the election may be marred by activities of the state-controlled Vigilantes.”
“It is a sad reminder of the fate of state police in the hands of governors. The Edo State Vigilantes have become a tool in the hands of Governor Obaseki.
The hitherto rag-tag vigilantes now carry dangerous weapons and have also become lawless, killing people at will.”
“This is highly unacceptable for democracy to flourish. The Police and DSS are handicapped.
This is a serious problem the National Security Adviser and Inspector General Police must look into with utmost concern,” Idemudia stated.
