The Edo State Government has commenced a two-week training for over 1,500 hunters and personnel of the Edo State Vigilante Security Network on weapons handling and intelligence gathering.
Addressing journalists at the Police Training College, in Benin City, the Coordinator, Edo State Security Network, Col. Kole Oshoriamhe Omomia (Rtd), said the training, in its second batch, is aimed at bolstering the government’s efforts at combating crime in the State.
The trainees, according to him, were drawn from Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial districts.
The first batch of the training was organized for 574 other operatives and hunters from Edo North Senatorial district.
Omomia said, “This is a two-week training programme aimed at training operatives and hunters in the Edo State Security Network. The 1, 500 operatives/hunters drawn from Edo Central and South senatorial districts, will undergo intensive training.”
He said the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has donated bikes for logistics to support the training, noting, “Edo is one of the best States in the Country in terms of security. Governor Godwin Obaseki does not joke with it. He wants investors to come into the State to invest. If you watch, most of the newly recruited hunters and vigilantes are not trained. We want to make sure they are well trained.”
The Commander added, “A lot of resource persons are going to come onboard to make sure they are physically fit, mentally balanced and others. They are also going to train them on weapons handling, patrols, stop and search, ambush, and counter-terrorism.”