Obaseki raises alarm over alleged stockpiling of arms in Edo

Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Friday raised the alarm over the alleged stockpiling of arms and ammunition by some persons for the purpose of causing a breach of the peace in the name of politics in the state.

Obaseki, who spoke at the state security meeting he chaired on Friday, however, vowed that the security apparatus in the state “will stop at nothing” to bring to justice anybody who foments trouble and would rely on the law to prosecute anybody found wanting.

The security meeting was attended by the Commander, 4th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Commissioner of Police and heads of the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Prisons Service.

Obaseki, who is reportedly at loggerheads with his former boss, who is the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, said that the security council was aware that some persons were importing arms to cause mayhem in the state.

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A statement issued on Friday by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Media and Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said: “While stating that they (security council) are aware that some unscrupulous persons, under the guise of politics, are importing arms and ammunition to cause mayhem, they warned that the state security council is aware of their activities, stressing that the state’s shield stands guard and its sword stands ready to bring to justice anyone found engaging in such criminal activity.”

The statement also added that no one found wanting would be spared “no matter how highly placed these persons are” and would not only be arrested but also “prosecuted and jailed”.

According to the statement, the state security council advised parents to keep a close watch on their children and wards and prevent them from being recruited by the individuals in the name of politics to disrupt public peace.

“Individuals or groups found breaching the peace or molesting anybody will be made to face the wrath of the law, no matter who their parents and guardians might be.

“Security agencies have also been directed to commence a search for arms and ammunition being stockpiled by these individuals for the purpose of causing trouble and breaching the peace”, the statement added.

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