Criminal Invasion In Edo : The Police, Stealing Foreigners, The Game Of Orders
Eben Enasco Reporting.
The Nigeria Police Force was primarily established during the colonial era to maintain order and suppress dissent against British rule.
It was later used to maintain internal security and support other government agencies.
While the initial purpose was order maintenance, the police force has been criticized for its historical involvement in political events and its role in suppressing dissent.
These actions from the Nigeria Police Force since independence, has led to criticism of its performance and the need for reform.
The police’s ineffectiveness in combating crime lately in Edo State and other parts of the country, is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach.
A few things have hindered the clinical policing in the states, including; The Police itself, Government Disparity, Stealing Foreigners, and The Game Of Orders from superiors with interests.
The recent development is a testament to the APC government’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.
Police officers struggle to meet their family responsibilities due to insufficient salaries and allowances.
While their counterparts security architecture set up like the Nigeria army are pampered, allocated oil wells, and equipped far better, despite the hard work put in by the police, gets no recognition for such.
The government’s prioritization of military welfare over police welfare raises questions about their commitment to citizen safety and security.
Another issue is the proposed bill to exempt military personnel from paying tax which highlights the disparity in treatment between the military and police.
The Police officers, who pay tax from their salaries, deserve consideration for tax exemption, just like the military and other security agencies.
The tools and equipment necessary for effective policing are often inadequate, hindering their ability to perform their duties.
However, more needs to be done to address the welfare and operational challenges faced by men and women in police uniform.
Addressing the root causes of crime, improving police capacity and training, building trust with the community and allowing the same police act according to the ethical mandate are essential steps towards creating a safer environment.
But then, the recent surge in criminal activities in Edo State and other parts of the country, has further raised concerns about the effectiveness of the police in combating crime irrespective of the above mentioned essentials to revive the policing system.
With some unknown foreigners now marauding the forests and streets, it has become very difficult to curtail their operations.
Many of the foreigners, including the transiting hunters most often pretend to be scavengers or into a strange hunting business down the southern region who move about homes in the metropolis in search of broken metals for economic values.
In the southern forests, these pretending criminals have sojourned with hidden agendas.
On the streets, they are either engaged in low income labourer’s jobs like scavenging broken metals, building support service, and home maintainable services where they have now become aware of the life and behaviour of the southern people of Nigeria.
Recent reports have emerged in part of communities in Edo North on the atrocities of suspected Fulani herders
The communities of Agbede, Odigie, Egono, and surrounding areas were gripped by fear as Fulani herders, allegedly backed by corrupt police officers, wreaked havoc on innocent civilians.
According to various reports, farm destruction, killings, rapes, and kidnappings for ransom have become disturbingly common.
The police have been accused that, instead of protecting the communities, they seem to be aiding and abetting the Fulani herders against the aborigines.
The DPO at Agbede Police Station, the Police Area Commander in Auchi, and the AIG of Zone Five Office in Benin are accused of backing the herders with lining orders which is now creating fear amongst the people over their genuine protection and safety.
A member of the community who did not want his name on the print disclosed to our correspondent that the police are using blackmail, harassment, and detention to intimidate vigilantes and hunters who dare to challenge the Fulani invaders.
The source alleged that they are forced to sign undertakings not to confront the herders, effectively stripping the communities of their right to self-defense.
The people of Agbede, Odigie, Egono, and neighboring communities, according to the source, are living in palpable fear, unable to farm, travel, or go about their daily lives without fear of attack.
The destruction of farms and livestock has led to significant economic losses, pushing many families to the brink of poverty.
Although, the police command has made frantic efforts in its operations to debunk these allegations through several recorded arrests of criminal kidnappers.
In a recent statement released and made available to the press by CSP Moses Joel Yamu, Police Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command disclosed that it rescued another two kidnapped victims on 18/04/2025 at about 2115hrs demonstrating its commitment to tackle criminality in the State.
This it stated that the successes recorded precluded a case which was reported on 14/04/2025 at the Divisional Police Headquarters, Iyamho, where a woman and her sister were kidnapped after shooting and fatally wounding the woman’s husband at Oluoke community.
Yamu revealed that the injured man was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical Doctor on duty.
In a swift response, the DPO, Anti Kidnapping team stationed at Edo North, and Operation Rescue in company of Vigilantes/Hunters mobilised and went after the kidnappers in order to rescue the victims and arrest the kidnappers.
The resilience and determination of the operatives led to the rescue of the two women, namely, Esther Friday 32 years and Joy Iregbeyen 23 years whom the kidnappers abandoned and ran away because of the mounting pressure by the security teams.
He emphasized that the Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika is working obviously on strategies that would curb further crime and deter criminals.
However, these communities are urging the press to shed light on this crisis and expose the police officers involved in aiding and abetting the Fulani herders.
Maximum pressure is needed between the police, press and the society to bring an end to this complicity done on the victimized communities.
They are demanding from the commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika to urge the police officers to withdraw their support for the Fulani herders and allow the communities to defend themselves.
The Police must understand that, the situation in Agbede, Odigie, Egono, and surrounding areas is a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate attention which they sworn to give equal protection services like the suspected herders.
Corruption within the police force can undermine efforts to combat crime, as some officers might be complicit in criminal activities or accept bribes to turn a blind eye.
When the public loses trust in the police due to corruption or ineffectiveness, it can lead to reduced cooperation and increased crime.
The Game Of Orders from above must be sacrificed for building trust and engaging with the community which can help the police gather intelligence and prevent crimes.
Genuine collaboration between the police and all stakeholders, such as community leaders, local security services and civil society organizations, is crucial in addressing the root causes of crime.