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ABUJA – The House of Representatives on Thursday called on key security chiefs to urgently deploy personnel to combat the escalating insecurity in the Itsukwi, Imiakebu, Imiegba, and Okpekpe communities in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The House resolution followed adoption of a motion on urgent public importance to address the growing security concerns in Edo State following.
The motion, titled “Urgent Need to Deploy Security Agents to Itsukwi, Imiegba, Okpekpe, and Imiakebu Communities to Halt Herdsmen’s Onslaught Against Innocent Citizens,” was sponsored by Mr. Billy Osawaru, the member representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, Edo State.
The motion, which was tabled during Thursday’s plenary, received unanimous support from the lawmakers present, highlighting the critical need for intervention in the affected communities.
In seeking the support of his colleagues, Osawaru, a member of the All Progressives Congress, drew the attention of the House to Section 14(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates the government to ensure the security and welfare of the people.
He further emphasized that Section 17(b) of the Constitution underscores the importance of the sanctity of the human person, stating that human dignity must be recognized and upheld, and that government actions should be humane.
Additionally, he highlighted that Chapter 4, Section 33(1) of the Constitution guarantees the right to life, asserting, “Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived of their life intentionally, except in the execution of a court sentence for a criminal offense for which they have been found guilty in Nigeria.
According to him, “The House has been informed that on Monday, October 28, 2024, herdsmen invaded Ugbereke, a well-known farmland renowned for its fertility, and completely destroyed the yam plantation of Mr. Samuel Igbeneghu, a youth leader in the Itsukwi community (Ward 9, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State).
“The House is also deeply concerned that on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, three farmers from Okpekpe community in Ward 10, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, Umuagene Obey, Emuesugheli Obi, and Ogbitabu Imoudumhe, were ambushed while on their way to their farms and brutally murdered by suspected herdsmen.
“Same day, the killers made their way to Ugbereke, and killed one Undyar Aondongu (male) while five women were beaten and left to flee with various degrees of injuries.”
Osawaru added that as a result of these violent campaigns, “Farmers in these communities no longer visit their farms for fear of being attacked or killed.”
He warned that if the Federal Government does not take immediate action to address the crisis, the result would be widespread hunger due to food scarcity, not only affecting the people of the region but also impacting the entire Etsako East Local Government Area and, by extension, the whole of Edo State.
Following the adoption of a motion, the House of Representatives, under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, observed a minute of silence to honor the lives lost. The Speaker directed the immediate deployment of security forces to the affected communities.
Additionally, the House mandated the Inspector General of Police and other relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the tragic incident and apprehend those responsible for prosecution. Law enforcement agencies were also tasked with enhancing security surveillance in the Ituski, Imiakebu, Imiegba, and Okpekpe communities, as well as neighboring areas, to prevent further escalation of insecurity.
The legislative body has called on the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, and the Commander of the 4th Mechanised Brigade in Edo State to deploy personnel to the communities of Itsukwi, Imiakebu, Imeigba, and Okpekpe. This action aims to ensure the safety and protection of lives and property in these areas.
The motion has been referred to the House Committees on Army, Police, National Intelligence, and Legislative Compliance, with a four-week deadline for reporting back with further recommendations.
