In light of the recent murders of innocent people by suspected herdsmen, the House of Representatives has urged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to send more security guards to the Okpekpe community in Edo State’s Etsako East Local Government Area.
The committee’s resolution came after a motion of urgent public interest was adopted. The motion was presented by Mr. Marcus Onobun, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party who represents the Esan West/Esan East/Igueben Federal Constituency in Edo State.
Onobun, who drummed support for the motion on Wednesday, bemoaned the fact that Edo State, which was formerly renowned for its tranquil atmosphere, is slowly turning into a difficult area as a result of the herdsmen’s aggressive campaign.
He said, “The House is disturbed that the heartbeat of the nation is losing its rhythmic pulse as the state has in recent times been clobbered by dire insecurity challenges.”
“According to a report published in the online Leadership Newspaper on 26th February 2025, over 32 persons have lost their lives in the state due to the activities of marauders, popularly referred to as killer herdsmen.”
“The House notes that the report alleged that two Indigenous individuals in the Okpekpe community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State were gruesomely murdered on Monday, 24th February 2025, by suspected killer herdsmen.”
“Similarly, the report also alleged that no fewer than 28 persons were left dead after a violent clash between cocoa farmers and Ijaw militants in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.”
He said, “The House is worried that this series of bloodbaths in Edo State has created an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear among the people of the state, affecting the socio-economic lives of the people.”
“We are disturbed that the Government of Edo seemed to have been overwhelmed by the spate and frequency of these killings, hence the need for the Federal Government to lend a helping hand to the state to curb this ugly menace.”
With the adoption of the motion, the House urged the Inspector General of Police to deploy additional security personnel and intensify intelligence gathering and surveillance operations in identified flashpoints within Edo State.
