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Edo Government Rejects IGP’s Suspension of State Security Network
The Edo State Government has expressed disagreement with the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, regarding the recent suspension of the state-owned security outfit, known as the Edo State Security Network (ESSN).
The suspension was announced by the IGP during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, ahead of the upcoming governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024, in Benin City.
During the meeting, the IGP stated that the security network would be suspended indefinitely, sparking a strong reaction from the Edo State Government.
Crusoe Osagie, the Special Adviser on Media Projects to Governor Godwin Obaseki, voiced the state’s opposition, asserting that the IGP lacks the constitutional authority to suspend the Edo Security Corps (ESC).
He emphasized that the ESC was established through legislation passed by the Edo State House of Assembly, making it a lawful entity under state jurisdiction.
Osagie compared the suspension of the ESSN to a hypothetical scenario where the IGP might disband the Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Operation Amotekun, ahead of the Ondo State governorship election.
He highlighted that such actions infringe upon the rights of states to establish security structures, as enshrined in Section 11(1) and Section 11(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.
These sections grant state assemblies the power to create and maintain organizations aimed at ensuring public safety and security within their borders.
Despite the disagreement, Osagie noted that in the interest of maintaining peace during the election period, Governor Obaseki had instructed all officials of the Edo Security Corps to go on leave from September 11 to September 23, 2024.
This temporary measure aims to prevent any escalation of tensions while ensuring that the election proceeds smoothly.
The standoff between the Edo State Government and the IGP highlights the ongoing debate over state versus federal control of security agencies, particularly in the lead-up to critical elections.
With the election just around the corner, the resolution of this issue will be closely watched by political observers and citizens alike.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reportedly declared a strike at Taraba State University over outstanding salary-related demands and delays in payments.
The strike is scheduled to begin today, October 12, 2026. According to the union’s chairman, the union had been engaging the Taraba State Government over its outstanding demands since February 2026.
“The union had exercised considerable patience and demonstrated its commitment to dialogue since February 2026, when it began engaging the Taraba State Government over the outstanding issues,” Mbave said.
“The union had earlier suspended its planned industrial action following an appeal by the government for additional time through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, in the interest of maintaining industrial harmony,” the chairman added.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
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