EDO-OKPA UNITY FORUM MOVES TO HELP SECURE ESAN LAND*

EDO-OKPA UNITY FORUM MOVES TO HELP SECURE ESAN LAND

 

Edo-okpa Unity Forum, a non political, non religious and nonprofit organization, made up of citizens of Edo state extraction, has stated its resolve to contribute its quota in helping to secure Esanland from the ravaging and notorious activities of bandits, armed robbers, kidnappers killer herdsmen, cultism and other forms of criminal activities.

Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the group, Chief Peters Evbota, whilst fielding questions from newsmen in Lagos recently, said, his organization has agreed to assist a leading anticult organization, based in Ekpoma, that has been in the forefront in stemming acts of criminalities in Ekpoma and some other adjoining Esan towns and villages.

According to Chief Evbota, the leadership of Edo-okpa Unity Forum had a round table discussion with the Founder and leader of the Civilian Anticult Crusade Group, Barrister Lucky Esekhaigbe. In the course of the interaction, the Forum was brought to the know, of the very many good works of the anticult group and the various challenges they are faced with.

Barrister Esekhaigbe told EUF leadership that the anticult group was founded in 2015 to fight against cultism and other violent crimes in Ekpoma and environs. Since then, he said his team has recorded many successes as they do not rely only on *fire for fire* approach, but also employ intelligent information gathering and strategic implementation of non violent approach, and only use coercion as a last resort.

Barrister Esekhaigbe presented further that his group operates in synergy with other security and vigilante outfits in Edo Central, and that, at a time, they apprehended some kidnappers with arms and were handed over to the Police. At some instances, when they arrest cult members who show remorse and are repentant, such persons he said are counseled and helped to renounce at the Police station and court, after which they live a normal and free life.

 

Whilst commending the Management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) for continuous support of their activities, Barrister Esekhaigbe  also acknowledged the support of some well meaning individuals and a couple of corporate bodies.

Barrister Esekhaigbe however appealed for more support. According to him, the Esan west Local government used to assist them with stipends, but that has stopped. Hear him: “The operational vehicle we have that was donated to us by AAU is currently always breaking down due to old age. We also need to take care of the welfare of our personnel (About 45 in number) and have to purchase pump action riffles and cartridges for our operations. Since inception, we have lost about six of our operatives in the line of duty and we are doing all within our means to take care of the families they left behind. All these cost money. Even, our lives are at risk and our operatives deliberately put restrictions to their social lives due to attacks from unrepentant cultists"

 

Chief Evbota told the news hounds that based on the presentation by Barrister Esekhaigbe, the leadership of EUF has, as a short term intervention approved the sum of N200, 000 to assist the anticult group in their operations. He said EUF is open to extend such gesture to other security and vigilante groups across Esan land who have proven their worth in ensuring that Esan land is secured.

According to him "No matter how you look at it, security is everybody’s business. Without security, social and economic activities will be stalled. All well meaning Esan sons and daughters must get involved in the effort to secure Esan land. It is for this reason that Edo-okpa Unity Forum AGM will be centred around security, and we intend to launch a Security Trust Fund to take care of our long term efforts to secure Esan land"