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).
Recall that on Wednesday, the IGP had announced the suspension of the security outfit indefinitely, during the organized stakeholders’ meeting of Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, ahead of the governorship election slated for September 21, 2024 in Benin City.
The Special Adviser on Media Project to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Crusoe Osagie, says the IGP has no constitutional power to suspend the Edo Security Corps, as it is a creation of the Edo State House of Assembly.
Osagie says it is tantamount to the IGP disbanding the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Operation Amotekun, citing Sec 11 (1), Sec 11 (2) which empowers the State House of Assembly to set up structures for public safety and security of the state.
However, he said 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.
