More than two months after the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun banned Edo State Security Network, ESSN, and other state’s security outfits ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in the state, the state governor, Monday Okpebholo has lifted the ban.
DAILY POST recalls that the Inspector General of Police had on September 11, 2024, during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ahead of the election announced the ban of the state-owned security outfit, Edo State Security Network, ESSN, from participating in the election.
The stakeholders meeting was organised for political parties, governorship candidates, security agencies among others by the commission.
According to the Inspector General of Police, the task of securing voters and electoral materials rests squarely on the police, who will be supported by other security agencies to ensure a credible election.
“No private or state-owned security apparatus would be allowed to operate during and after the election.
“All quasi-security operatives in Edo State should refrain from participating in the Edo election. Activities of the Edo State Security Network which have been suspended,” he said.
DAILY POST, however, reported that after the election, the security personnel are yet to resume for duty as there was no official pronouncement unbanning it.
However, following the upsurge and spate of criminal activities, the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has announced the lifting of the suspension earlier imposed on the security outfits.
A statement by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Musa Umar Ikhilor and made available to newsmen in Benin City on Friday, said the lifting of the suspension was a move by the government to fortify the security architecture of the State.
Ikhilor said the decision marked a comprehensive shift in the state’s quest for enhanced safety and security.
According to him, “In a move to fortify the security architecture of Edo State, the government has lifted the suspension imposed on the Edo State Security Corps in September 2024.
“The decision made by the Governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, marks a comprehensive shift in the state’s quest for enhanced safety and security.
“The suspension, which was initiated by the Inspector General of Police ahead of the September 21 2024 Gubernatorial Election, was based on the constitutional stipulation that election security is the sole responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force, assisted by other sister agencies within the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
“However, with the successful conduct of the gubernatorial election, the Edo State Government has deemed it necessary to reinstate the Security Corps. This move aims to bolster the state’s security apparatus and ensure the safety of its citizens.
“As part of the reinstatement process, all returning officers are required to report to the office of the State Corps Commander or their respective zonal offices (North, Central, South) of the Corps.
“This directive aims to ensure a seamless transition and the effective deployment of the Security Corps”, he said.