2019 Elections: Obaseki says security will be priority in Edo

Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo says security will top his administration’s priority list in 2019 to ensure the state is stabilised before, during and after the general elections scheduled to hold this year.

The governor made this known when he received the outgoing 4 Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen Ibrahim Garuba and his successor, Brig.-Gen Greg Omoregbe on a courtesy visit to Government House, Benin on Saturday.

Obaseki said due to the strategic location of the state, it was important to beef up security before, during and after the general elections.

“This year we will focus extensively on security as it is an election year and given the position of the state; it is important that the state is stabilised.

“We are doing everything possible to ensure that we have a security arrangement which recognises the citizens of the state and integrates them to our security frame work,’’ the governor said.

He commended the outgoing Commander for his roles in the birthing of the state new security Architecture and trust funds as well as his level of commitment and dedication to his duties.

“At every time, he was always there in planning our response to security challenges and as a state we can’t thank him enough.

“I recall the support he gave to us when we were trying to ensure law and order in major streets in Benin metropolis.

“He assisted the state in collaboration with other security outfits to curtail farmers-herdsmen crises and militancy in the state during our early days in office,” Obaseki said.

The governor urged the new Brigade Commander to deploy his operational skills toward sustaining the achievements of his predecessor and assured of his administration’s support.

Earlier, Garuba had thanked the governor for his supportive role to the Brigade under his tenure as Commander.

He said the synergy between the state government and the Brigade Command made him contributed his quota to the security of the state and inauguration of the new security architecture in the state.

Similarly, the new Commander said he would continue from where his predecessor stopped to sustain the cordial relationship between the state government and people of the state.

Omoregbe pledged to work in harmony with the state government and other security outfits to ensure peace and security in the state.