The Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency following what it calls mindless killing of seven people by an angry mob in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of the State.
The party made the call in a statement on Saturday by its caretaker Chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi.
While condemning the action of the mob, the party alleged that the mob was led by the newly reorganised state vigilante operatives of the Governor Monday Okpebholo administration.
“Having suffered repeated killings, abductions, and rape of their women, children, and men in the past few months, the indigenes of the State have become paranoid due to the lack of intervention by the state governor and the security apparatus and out of frustration, have now resorted to extrajudicial killings.
“Also, 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 judgements, the tendency is there for the civil population to mirror such behaviour.
“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 party sympathised with the families of the victims of the unfortunate and mindless killings and prayed that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
He noted that kidnapping, killing, maiming, and other violent crimes have now become a daily occurrence in the state under the Okpebholo administration, claiming lives in the last few months.
“The 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,” he said.
“The crisis by far surpasses the skirmishes that took place in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency.
“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 opposition PDP said residents are living in fear due to the possibility of reprisals from the relatives and communities of those killed.
