The Edo State Government has issued a strong condemnation of the recent abduction and murder of Dr. Abu Momoh Tahir in Auchi, describing the incident as “unfortunate, painful, and deeply regrettable.” In an official statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ebojele Patrick, the government extended its condolences to the bereaved family, labeling the doctor’s death as “avoidable.”
More significantly, the statement served as a forceful recommitment to state security, assuring citizens that this tragic event “does not diminish the state’s resolve to intensify its fight against kidnapping and sundry crimes.” The government vowed that the perpetrators would be “fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law,” asserting they would not escape “the long arms of the law.”
Contextualizing the Threat and the Government’s Response
The government acknowledged that kidnapping presents an “existential threat” and a “worrisome trend” that demands extreme attention. To provide context, kidnapping for ransom has plagued several Nigerian states, often targeting professionals, travelers, and students. The statement positioned the current administration’s efforts as a mitigating force, claiming that without its interventions, “the spate would have been more alarming.” It pointed to the recently concluded peaceful yuletide season as evidence of progress in making Edo safer.
The killing of Dr. Tahir was framed as a setback that “tended to cast a slur on our spirited efforts.” This admission highlights the complex challenge security agencies face: sporadic successes can be quickly overshadowed by high-profile tragedies, eroding public trust.
Outlining Recent Security Operations
To substantiate its claims of action, the statement detailed a pre-Christmas security initiative. Men of the state’s “Operation Rescue” conducted a “holistic bush combing exercise” across key areas including Auchi, Agenebode, Okpella, Fugar, and Owan. The goal was to expose and dismantle kidnappers’ dens.
The government reported tangible outcomes from this operation:
- Arrests and Prosecutions: A number of persons were arrested and are currently being prosecuted.
- Destruction of Hideouts: Several kidnappers’ camps were destroyed.
- Neutralization of Threats: Some kidnappers were killed during exchanges of firepower.
These actions, the government argued, demonstrate that it is “not resting on its oars” and have helped decimate “initial perennial incidences of kidnapping… to their lowest ebb.”
A Call for Collective Vigilance
Perhaps the most crucial point for the public was the government’s emphasis on shared responsibility. The statement clearly noted: “Security concerns are a function of both the government and the people they govern; It is a collective indulgence that should not be left in the hands of the government alone.” This is a critical insight. Effective security relies on community intelligence, vigilance, and cooperation with law enforcement. It signals a move beyond a purely state-centric approach to one that requires active citizen participation.
Analysis: The Path Forward
While the government’s vows and reported operations are necessary, long-term success against kidnapping syndicates often depends on sustained, multi-pronged strategies. These include:
- Continuous Intelligence Gathering: Beyond bush combing, embedding intelligence networks within communities.
- Addressing Root Causes: Investigating and mitigating the economic and social drivers that lead individuals to crime.
- Inter-Agency Collaboration: Enhancing coordination between local, state, and federal security agencies.
- Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Securing roads and remote areas that are common kidnapping hotspots.
The Edo State Government’s statement, prompted by a doctor’s tragic death, serves both as a reassurance and a blueprint of its current security posture. Its ultimate test will be in consistently translating these vows into a measurable and sustained decline in violent crime, thereby restoring a sense of permanent safety for all residents.
Reported by Imelda Osayande for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Sandra Umeh.
