The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state has urged President Bola Tinubu to impose a state of emergency in the state following the recent mob killing of travellers reportedly mistaken for kidnappers.
Edo PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi who strongly denounced the killings that occurred in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, in a statement on Friday, condemned what he described as growing acts of jungle justice.
He linked the rise in extrajudicial killings to frustration among residents, citing an alleged failure by the state government to effectively address insecurity.
“It is necessary to state that citizens often mirror the character of the government with authority over them. Having sensed that Okpebholo’s government does not follow the established rule of law, or obey court judgments, the tendency is there for the civil population to mirror such behaviour,” he stated.
Highlighting the scale of the violence, Aziegbemi pointed out that seven individuals were burned alive in a single day, with over 100 reported deaths in recent months due to similar incidents. He called on President Tinubu to take decisive action.
“With seven people burnt alive in just one day, and several other killings numbering over 100 in the past few months, the PDP is therefore calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make the necessary call and declare a State of Emergency in Edo State as the mayhem currently ongoing in Edo far exceeds the skirmishes that happened in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency there.”
The opposition party further alleged that violent crimes, including kidnappings and killings, have surged under the current administration, endangering lives and properties.
“Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comr. Adams Oshiomhole, had to take to the floor of the Senate to raise the alarm that the State was under siege,” the PDP Chairman added.
Arguing that the crisis had surpassed previous disturbances that warranted federal intervention in other states, the PDP maintained that the security situation in Edo required urgent federal intervention.
“Therefore, for the safety of our people and to put an end to these mindless killings, raping, abductions, and destruction of property in Edo, we believe it is appropriate for the President to declare a state of emergency in Edo State as a matter of urgency,” the statement concluded.
