Senator Joseph Ikpea has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for the proactive steps he took by closing down some secondary schools in the state over the issue of insecurity.
The governor, on Wednesday, ordered the closure of the affected schools following a red alert raised by the Department of State Security (DSS) on the plan by some bandits to attack some schools in the state.
Ikpea on closure of schools
Senator Ikpea, representing Edo Central Senatorial District of Edo State in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, stated in a release that the Edo State governor demonstrated uncommon leadership by the act.
According to him, the governor also has a full grasp of the elementary principle of governance which placed a premium over the wellbeing of the people.
He added that, with the situation of insecurity in the nation, it was just ideal that the governor did not treat the security red alert raised by the top security agency with kids’ gloves.
“I want to commend His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of our dear state, Edo State, for the prompt decision he took yesterday (Wednesday) by closing down three different secondary schools in the Akoko Edo Area of the state.
“This followed the security alert raised by the Department of State Security that some undesirable elements in our society were planning to attack some schools in Edo North Senatorial District, with a view to kidnapping our children.
“The decision by Governor Okpebholo to act swiftly when he got the information goes to show his good and uncommon leadership and understanding of the principle of governance which stipulates that the government must seek the wellbeing of the people at all times.
“There is no doubt that the decision to close the school at this period comes with its pain, given that students across the nation are writing one national or sub-continental examination.
“It is just ideal that the governor closed the schools, instead of waiting for the evil act to be perpetrated,” he stated.
Ikpea also called on Nigerians, particularly his constituents in Edo Central Senatorial District, to be vigilant and report any strange activity in their areas to security agencies and concerned authorities.
“It is pertinent at this juncture to call on Nigerians to be more vigilant. The issue of security, given the development in our dear nation today, has gone beyond it being the exclusive preserve of the government.
“All citizens must be involved and take the matter as part of their civic responsibilities to the Nigerian State.
“I want to appeal to the people of Edo Central not to consider the alert as raised by the DSS as the problem of Edo North Senatorial District because the security advisory did not mention Edo Central.
“It is obvious that the undesirable elements responsible for this dastardly act of kidnapping don’t discriminate against tribe and region.
“Therefore, our people must be conscious of their environment, study all strange faces that come into their neighbourhood and take the bold step by reporting any strange activity around them to security agents and the authorities concerned.
“We should not wait till it happens before we act,” federal lawmaker counselled.
He praised the DSS and other security agencies in the state for their collaboration with the state government to ensure safety in Edo State.
He further assured that he would continue to support any initiative by the Edo State Government to rid the state of all undesirable elements.
Recall that the DSS stated in a leaked memo addressed to the State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), that it uncovered a plan to abduct students in public schools in Edo North Senatorial District.
It was also stated that a communication between two suspects where the plot was being planned was intercepted and that an individual had been arrested who was found in one of the public schools in the area, apparently on a surveillance mission.
