Obaseki receives new NSCDC commandant, assures sustained support to combat cultism, drug abuse, others

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, on Friday, received the newly deployed State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Agun Gbenga Joseph, reassuring sustained partnership with the corps and other security agencies in the State to reduce the incidences of crime and other social vices.

Receiving the new Commandant at the Government House in Benin City, Obaseki said the government is working assiduously, collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the State is peaceful and crime-free.

L-R: Edo State Commissioner for Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Christabel Omoh Ekwu; Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, Kingsley Uwagbale; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo State Command, Agun Gbenga Joseph, during a courtesy visit by the NSCDC Commandant, at the Government House in Benin City, on Friday, January 19, 2024.

Obaseki, while reassuring the NSCDC Commandant of sustained collaboration and support, reiterated the need for increased partnership between States and the Federal Government to tackle crime and criminality in all its forms and guise.

He said, “You are coming at a very critical time in the security of the State. All our security heads have been changed without reference to the governor. That is the way the Federation Government operates, changing all security heads."

“I wonder how we can operate and manage the security of the State with such a strategy instead of them having basic interaction with the State to understand what is going on.”

According to him, “Edo State is always secured because we have mutual cooperation amongst the security agencies but when you move all the security heads out of the State at the same time, it means we have to start all over again. We are facing security challenges, facing an election; it's an exciting way to manage the security of the country."

“Edo is a peaceful and law-abiding State and we cooperate with the Federal Government. They should help us to build on the success we have made in the area of security."

“Edo is critical and core at the center of this country and its security architecture should not be played with but premium should be placed on the State's security. As a government, we meet to collaborate with all security agencies to ensure peace and unity of the State.”

Noting that cultism remains one of the biggest security challenges in the State, the Governor said his administration is updating existing laws to ensure proper prosecution of offenders.

Obaseki said, “Cultism is one of the biggest challenges we face in the State and it involves the use and abuse of drugs and we are working on strategies to deal with the issue. Working with your men and other agencies, we believe that the plan we have in place will make significant progress in the fight against cultism."

“We are working with the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) to update the laws to make it more effective and for it to enable us to deal with the issue and those causing us problems in the State.”

The new NSCDC Commandant, Agun Gbenga, while decrying the spate of cult-related activities and vandalism in the State, pledged to partner with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful State.

“I am posted to the State as the new NSCDC State Commandant to work with you to make the State peaceful and move forward. I am here to work for Edo people in total loyalty to your administration and ensure you deliver on your promises to Edo people.”