The member representing the Ovia federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Dennis Idahosa, has expressed worry that Insecurity may hamper development as well discourage investors from Edo if not urgently checked.
The lawmaker, who is of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the security challenges that have prevented farmers from their farms, have assumed a worrisome dimension recently.
He stated this while addressing journalists in Benin on Wednesday through his media aide, Mr Friday Aghedo.
Idahosa noted that not only are the people being abducted daily, there is also the issue of banditry, murder, rape, torture, and abuse of residents of various communities in the State.
He cited the Uromi bank robbery of February 24 which led to the death of six persons, including two police officers, and the gruesome murder of Dr Otote Osaikhuomwan of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH).
“The issue of kidnapping has spread across the State; along Owan-lhievbe Warrake Road, Benin -Auchi highway, just to mention but a few areas in the State.
“Also note January 31st, herdsmen invaded farmlands in Igloo and (Abumwentre I} Communities in Ovia Federal Constituency, leaving one person dead and at least two wounded with gunshot injuries and forcing the residents to flee into the neighbouring community of Okokhuo for refuge.
“There is also incessant invasion and attacks by armed herdsmen on farmlands in Ologbo-Nugu, Umoghun-Nokhua, Orogho, Urhehue, Evboesi, and Evbonogbon communities at the border of Edo and Delta state.
“These attacks have led to the loss of lives and properties as well as the destruction of agricultural produce of the residents who are mostly farmers.
“A man was murdered along with his three children in Egbonovon Community on January 2022, the abduction, torture, and rape of seven women on February 3 2022 and so many others just this year alone.
“On February 2, 2022, three women from Ologbo-Nugu Community were reportedly kidnapped, tortured, and raped serially before they were eventually released with a warning to their husbands that the perpetrators would be revisiting to wipe out the entire community.
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“The residents of Ologbo-Nugu are predominantly farmers and can no longer access their farmlands, which has adversely affected their economy and portends imminent food scarcity in Edo State and Nigeria at large.
“If the insecurity in Edo State is not urgently addressed, it will pose a serious threat to the socio-economic development of the State,” he stated.
Aghedo noted that it was in a bid to forestall the danger posed by this threat, that his principal raised a motion on the floor of the Green Chamber urging the concerned authority to act fast.
“I am happy to report that the house in its magnanimity, has mandated the security agencies to move into action and arrest the security challenges in the State and also bring the culprit to book.
“Aside from this, the speaker also urges the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief materials to the victims to ameliorate their sufferings,” he said.
