The Edo House of Assembly, on Tuesday passed a resolution urging Gov. Monday Okpebholo to establish farm settlements in Udo forest, notorious as hideouts for kidnappers.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance raised by Eugene Inegbeboh (PDP – Igueben), over the death of Moses Ehijie, who was killed while rescuing eight kidnap victims in Udo forest.
Inegbeboh said that although kidnapping was a national issue, rural communities in Edo were suffering disproportionately from criminal activities.
He said that Udo people were mainly farmers, who contributed immensely to the state’s economy and agriculture, hence, deserved more security protection from criminal elements.
The lawmaker said that late Ehijie risked his life to rescue eight kidnap victims and was eventually overpowered and killed by the armed kidnappers in the forest.
“The late Moses Ehijie’s family is in distress, having lost their breadwinner. He is survived by a pregnant wife, and three children, all under five years old.
“These same killer herdsmen shot Mr Godfrey Isabu’s son from Idi Akhimin Udo on the arm, and he is now receiving treatment at Irrua Specialist Hospital.
“The killer herdsmen also attacked five persons in Udoneria, a mother and four children, resulting in one fatality on April 26, from sustained gunshot wounds,” he said.
Inegbeboh appealed to the governor to employ the late Moses Ehijie’s wife within the state’s public service structure, to support the family.
He also requested a posthumous recognition for Mr Ehijie, to honour his bravery and sacrifice Igor rescuing the eight victims from the hands of their abductors.
The lawmaker said that there was the urgent need to conscript local vigilantes and hunters’ union members into the Edo Security Corps, to allow them earn salaries for their services.
Other lawmakers sympathised with the people of Udo, urging the state government to deploy security forces to comb Esan forests and eliminate all criminal hideouts.
