The inspector-general of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun has said that the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) will not take part in the state’s governorship election slated for September 21.
He made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin on Wednesday.
The IGP stated that the responsibility for securing voters and election materials will rest completely with the police, supported by other national security agencies.
Egbetokun stressed that no private or state-owned security organisation would be allowed to operate during and after the election.
“All local security groups in Edo State should refrain from participating in the election. The activities of the Edo State Security Network are suspended and will remain so,” he said.
He also disclosed that 35,000 police officers would be deployed for the election, with extra 8,000 personnel from other national security agencies providing support.
Egbetokun added that security aides attached to VIPs would also be withdrawn.
However, whilst responding to the IGP, Godwin Obaseki, Edo governor, said Egbetokun lacks constitutional power to suspend the ESSN.
Through a statement by Crusoe Osagie, special adviser on media project to Obaseki, said: “The Edo state government insists that the ESSN is a body set up by law passed by the Edo state house of assembly”.
“This is tantamount to the IGP disbanding the Western Nigeria security network, popularly known as Operation Amotekun, ahead of the governorship election in Ondo state billed for next month.
“Government notes that it is unconstitutional for the IGP to make such a declaration since Sec 11 (1), Sec 11 (2) empowers the State House of Assembly to set up structures for public safety and security of the state,” he said.
The governor’s special adviser, nonetheless, said that in the interest of peace, Governor Obaseki has directed all the officials of the state’s security to proceed on leave from September 11 to September 23, 2024, after the election.