Suspension of security outfit: Obaseki disagrees with IGP

Edo State Government has disagreed with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun for announcing the suspension of the State-owned security outfit codenamed “Edo State Security Network (ESSN).

SituationReport recalls that the Inspector General of Police had on Wednesday during the Independent National Electoral Commission’s organized stakeholders’ meeting ahead of the governorship election slated for September 21, 2024 in Benin City announced the suspension of the security outfit indefinitely.

Reacting to the pronouncement, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media Project to the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, opined that the IGP has no constitutional power to suspend the Edo Security Corps, as it is a creation of the Edo State House of Assembly.

According to him, the IGP had at the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, September 11, announced that the outfit had been suspended ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

“The Edo State government insists that the ESC is a body set up by law passed by the Edo State House of Assembly.

“This is tantamount to the IGP disbanding the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Operation Amotekun, ahead of the governorship election in Ondo State billed for next month “Government notes that it is unconstitutional for the IGP to make such a declaration since Sec 11 (1), Sec 11 (2) empowers the State House of Assembly to set up structures for public safety and security of the state,” he said.

He, however, added that in the interest of peace, the State Governor has directed all the officials of the ESC to proceed on leave from September 11 to September 23, 2024, after the election.