Some members of the Edo State Security Network known as vigilantes, numbering 11098, have surrendered 2000 firearms to the State government.
Commander, Edo State Security Corps, CP Friday Ibadin (Rted) said this on a Radio interview in Benin City where he claimed that a large number of arms are yet to be unaccounted for.
Alleging that most to the personnel were recruited during the previous administration in the State, the Commander, said some members of the group are yet-to return their firearms in their custody.
Ibadin announce plans to that reforms the security architecture, unlike in the past where hired operatives were neither had life insurance nor paid salaries by the previous government.
“We are still doing clean up. Presently, the arms we have been able to recover is almost 2000. Some people are yet to surrender their arms.
“We are not seizing the arms. We just want to know those who have arms in their custody and where they are using it”, according to him.
He further said, “We are about 11098. So, I consider that figure outrageous and unmanageable. Again, the operatives were not motivated. They were not on salary. They were also not on insurance. They go to the same market with you and I”.
“You know the implication of having someone who is not on salary or receiving any motivation either from the government or any other source.
“You know what someone who is not on salary when he is hungry. Like they say, a hungry man is an angry man. God forbid. These people are armed”, Ibadin said.
The Commander also disclosed plans to reduce the current workforce to a manageable size and carryout a fresh recruitment at the appropriate time.
He explained that the plans to replace some of the personnel which according to him, were “handpicked without profiling” in the past prior to the suspension of their activities by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, ahead of the Saturday September 21st 2024 governorship election in the State.
The Commander also promise to upscale the criteria for recruitment and ensure rank structure is created towards promoting discipline in the security outfit across the State.
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