Edo State to Hire 5,400 Security Personnel and 500 Forest Guards

The Edo State Government has said it will hire 5,400 members of a local security corps in all 18 local government areas. This move is part of efforts to improve security in the communities.

The Commissioner for Security and Public Safety, Festus Ebea, made this known at a news conference on Wednesday in Benin.

Earlier, the state government shut down three schools after the State Security Service (SSS) raised alarms about a plan to kidnap schoolchildren.

Mr Ebea said all local government chairpersons are to hire 300 security corps members for their areas. He insisted that no local government should have fewer than 300 operatives.

"The total figure will be 5,400. They must form part of the local government workforce," he said.

The commissioner added that the new corps members would receive proper gear for the rainy season.

"We are providing them with raincoats and boots to help them do their job, especially when it rains or at night.

"We are also giving them torch lights and all necessary equipment to ensure their work is done properly," he stated.

500 Forest Guards Already Hired

At the state level, Mr Ebea shared that the government has already employed 500 forest guards.

He mentioned that, following a directive from the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, the number of forest guards is set to rise to 1,000. The first 500 have been moved from the Ogida Police Training School to areas facing more insecurity in the state.

He pointed out that special focus would be on border communities in Etsako East, Etsako West, and Akoko-Edo. These areas have seen some crimes lately, including spots like Ibera Camp and Ibera-Teguzu.

"We are working to increase the number of forest guards to 1,000 as directed by the president.

"We want to ensure that the forest guards defeat those hiding in the bushes, protect our farmers, secure the area, and make it unsafe for criminals," he said.

The commissioner also connected drug abuse to violent crimes, saying the ministry is stepping up actions against drug dealers and sending them to the NDLEA for prosecution.

He urged the NDLEA to take action against drug offenders, stating that drug use often leads to killings and kidnappings.

Mr Ebea stressed that the state government is working with federal security agencies, including the police, military, civil defense, and SSS. He noted that operations like "bush-combing" are being done quietly to keep plans secret.