By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
With the continuous killings and robberies going on in the state, Ikpoba – Okha local government council on Monday inaugurated 70 vigilante members to help in securing the local government.
Chairman of the local government, Dr. Eric Osayande said the vigilantes will be under the council’s payroll, adding that they will “compliment existing security architecture in the area”.
According to Osayande, “Governor Obaseki directed that we should call all Enigies (District Heads) to go back to the traditional methods of vigilante to fight insecurity.
Meanwhile, the Edo State police command has charged its operatives to police the citizenry without bitterness following attacks on its pensonnel and police divisions during the #EndSARS protest.
The command however said policemen will no longer fold their hands and allow criminals to kill them like chickens.
Besides, suspected cultists, weekend reportedly shot at a police team around upper Sokponba junction by M. M way during which an Assistant police Commissioner and one officer.
The police team had gone to the area to restore normalcy following reported robbery and killings by rival cult groups.
The State Commissioner of police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo disclosed this on Monday during the inauguration of 70 vigilantes in Ikopaba-Okha local government area of the State.
Continuing, the CP said: “it’s our responsibility to sanitize the State and the Inspector General of police has gone ahead with confidence building of the police after the #EndSARS.
“We will keep talking to our men not to police with bitterness. But never again will it happen for someone carrying jack-knife to kill a policeman carrying AK-47.
“The police will no longer fold its hands and die like chicken…I want everyone to take the message home to neighbours and their children.
“Police should use their arms professionally if our lifes are in danger or defending others whose lifes are facing possible death and we will have justification to use our arms.”
Kokumo who disclosed that the police have made sizeable arrest in connection with “all manner of crimes” said the operatives will be on 24 hours joint patrol with sister security agencies in the local government.