FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has approved the establishment of a Special Security Squad aimed at flushing out kidnappers and cultists in a bid to address the rising wave of insecurity.
The new operation, titled “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists”, is a strategic initiative by the Office of the Principal Security Officer, PSO, to the governor and will be jointly coordinated with the Chief Security Officer, CSO, at the Government House.
For years, Edo State has grappled with worsening security challenges, especially in the form of rampant cultism and targeted kidnappings. The most affected areas include Benin City, Ekpoma, Auchi, and environs, with reports of daylight abduction, cult-related killings and extortion by criminal gangs.
This state of insecurity had led to the exodus of investors, disrupted the local economy and left residents living in fear.
However, the continued activities of hardened criminals have necessitated a more robust response.
According to a formal memo, dated July 11, the new operation will collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force and sister security agencies to dislodge deadly cultists and kidnapping syndicates operating across the 18 local government areas.
The squad will consist of a carefully profiled and recruited team of able-bodied men, including repentant cultists, hunters and vigilantes. These recruits will form local squads within each local government, ensuring community involvement and swift operational response to security threats.
To facilitate the operation’s mobility and effectiveness, the request notes that vehicles and motorcycles will be deployed for patrol and tactical operations.
“We will not allow criminality to dictate the future of our state. Edo State must be safe again for our children, for investors and for those in the diaspora who want to come home and contribute,” he stated.
Security agencies have now been placed on red alert. The governor has directed the PSO and CSO to ensure full implementation of the operation, noting that accountability, professionalism and community engagement must remain at the heart of the new initiative.
As “Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists” takes off, hope is high that Edo State is entering a new chapter in its quest for peace and security, one where citizens, security forces and community leaders work hand in hand to reclaim the streets from the grip of criminal elements.
