Edo trains 1,500 vigilante operatives to tackle insecurity

The Edo State Government has commenced the training of additional 1,500 operatives of the state Security Vigilante Network as part of efforts to tackle security challenges in the state.

Speaking to journalists at the Police Training School in Ogida Barracks on Sunday, the Coordinator of ESSVN, Col. Kole Omomia, said the men were being trained in the fourth batch of the training programme, bringing the total of men trained so far to about 5,074.

He said, “We are having 1,500 men of the ESSVN on training here today and they are the fourth batch being trained and they are from Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas.

“So far, those we have trained in the state are about 5,074 security operatives and hunters. The government is trying to achieve a secure and peaceful environment with a friendly atmosphere to encourage investors into the atate, ensuring lives and properties are secured and safe.

“This is the fourth batch as we are expecting to have fifth and sixth batches soon.”

The Director of Operation for ESSVN, David Olukonga, said the aim of the training is to ensure a secured state especially as the yuletide season nears.

He said, “The aim of the training is to ensure total security in the State, collaborating with various sister security agencies. The collaboration is 100 percent and it has led to a more secure and peaceful state where life is secure and safe.

“We have two more batches coming up to ensure a secured State. We are working hard as we have enough men on ground to ensure a safe, secure, and peaceful environment for business to thrive in the state.”