Okada, Edo State – Following the passing-out parade of the newly reorganized Edo State Security Corps, which recently concluded its training at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area, concerned residents of the state have called for a more professional and strategic approach to tackling insecurity.
In interviews with EBS correspondent Clement Oserah, residents expressed optimism about the initiative, describing it as a significant step towards improved community safety. However, they emphasized the need for the corps to collaborate with existing security agencies and concentrate their efforts on volatile and hard-to-reach areas that have become safe havens for criminal elements.
Among those who spoke was Mr. Joshua Momodu, a recent victim of a kidnap attempt along the forested stretch of the Benin–Lagos road. He, along with other respondents including Olu Aibinuomo, Moses Osazuwa, and Emmanuel Ikhiuwuefe, stressed that operations in forested terrains and high-risk zones should take priority in the corps’ deployment strategy.
While commending the state government for revamping the corps, residents highlighted the necessity of equipping operatives with adequate logistics, communication tools, protective gear, and insurance coverage to enable effective service delivery.
They also urged the corps to avoid focusing solely on city-centre checkpoints in Benin metropolis and instead leverage their local knowledge to secure rural communities and known crime flashpoints.
“The passing out of these officers marks a new beginning,” one resident said. “But beyond the parade lies the real task — confronting insecurity head-on. We hope this new corps brings a turnaround in the security situation across Edo State.”
As the state awaits the deployment of the trained operatives, expectations remain high for a safer and more secure Edo.
