The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has alleged that many of those involved in criminal activities in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, are indigenes of the area.
The governor said this during a stakeholders’ engagement with students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, government officials and other critical stakeholders.
According to him, investigations by security agencies showed that many of those involved in criminal activities around Ekpoma were indigenes.
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“Most of the incidents of kidnapping in Ekpoma are local. When soldiers and other security agencies went into the forest at night, the people caught were natives from Ekpoma. So we need to look at who our enemy really is,” he said.
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He said he was deeply pained by the violent turn the protest took, especially given his strong commitment to the revival of Ambrose Alli University.
Okpebholo, who condemned the destruction of shops and looting of properties during the protest, said he was highly in pain.
He said since the day he was sworn in, he assured that he was going to revive and reposition of AAU, adding that he has increased its subvention from N40 million to N500 million.
Okpebholo cautioned students against allowing themselves to be used by criminal elements, urging them to focus on their studies.
The governor assured the students of his administration’s commitment to dialogue, reform and the overall development of the university and the state.
The governor, who acknowledged the security challenges facing Ekpoma and other parts of the country, noted that insecurity is a collective problem that requires collective responsibility.
“The same way you are afraid of your life is the same way I am afraid of my life. Kidnappers do not know the status of anybody and so It’s a common problem we all have,” he said
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Usman A. Bello, Benin City
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