By Udeze Ekene

The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has lifted the ban on the state’s security outfit to aid in the protection of the lives and properties of citizens.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, suspended the Edo State Security Corps in September 2024, before the state’s last governorship election.

A statement from his Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, said Senator Okpebholo deemed it necessary to reinstate the security to bolster the state’s security apparatus and ensure the safety of all citizens.

“The decision made by the Governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, marks a comprehensive shift in the state’s quest for enhanced safety and security.

“The suspension, which was initiated by the Inspector General of Police ahead of the September 21 2024 Gubernatorial Election, was based on the constitutional stipulation that election security is the sole responsibility of the Nigeria Police Force, assisted by other sister agencies within the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

“However, with the successful conduct of the gubernatorial election, the Edo State Government has deemed it necessary to reinstate the Security Corps. This move aims to bolster the state’s security apparatus and ensure the safety of its citizens.

“As part of the reinstatement process, all returning officers are required to report to the office of the State Corps Commander or their respective zonal offices (North, Central, South) of the Corps.

“This directive aims to ensure a seamless transition and the effective deployment of the Security Corps,” Itua said.