Edo Gov Wants MD Of BUA To Explain His Role In Sponsorship Of Militia In Okpela

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has asked the managing Director of BUA Company to explain his alleged role in the existence of militia group whose members have been tormenting the people in the community.

This was even as he expressed surprise over attack on his convoy recently by suspected members of BUA Surveillance Group during his visit to the palace of the traditional ruler of Okpella, Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, Alhaji Andrew Dirisu.

Obaseki, who received Alhaji Andrew Dirisu and his chiefs at the government House in Benin city, the capital of Edo State today, Tuesday, described such attack as “unacceptable and an attack on the Edo State Government.”

He directed the commissioner of police and the Director of Department of State Services (DSS) in the state, to commence search for explosives and other weapons with a view to disarming the militia group that have been operating in the community.

He told the traditional rulers and chiefs from the different clans in the community that the report of a bomb explosion in Okpella is disheartening and must be investigated.

The governor was told that a strange vehicle was seen in Okpella and when concerned people in the community stopped the vehicle, the occupants fled. In the process, one of the occupants set off a bomb which claimed the bomber’s life and his colleague in crime was apprehended. After interrogation, a bomb factory was discovered in the neighbourhood in the community.

Governor Obaseki expressed his worry over the reign of an armed group terrorizing the community, saying: “we cannot pretend that things are fine. We must move arms out of private hands in that community and ensure peace returns to that domain.

“Your Royal Highness, if not for the explosion that rocked the community where one person died, you would not have known that explosives of such nature were in private hands in your domain. In the last one year Okpella has recorded the highest rate of incidents in Edo State. I cannot sit down without taking action.”

He assured that his administration would do all within its power to ensure that all Edo people and residents in the state are safe and secure, promising to nip in the bud, the worrisome trend in Okpella.