Ode-idahosa urges Edo Governor, Oba of Benin to intervene in cultism, shedding of innocent blood

CITIZENS COMPASS –Hamzaosa Ode-idahosa, the Secretary-General, NIDO African continental, on Saturday, urged Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, to intervene in the killings of innocent youths over cult-related clashes.

Also, Ode-idahosa urged members of the national and state assemblies, community and traditional leaders to lead the campaign against shedding of innocent blood in the State.

The Secretary-General in a statement he personally signed, lamented the series of violence that have led to the wanton killing of supposed future leaders in the State.

He described the killings as senseless calling on appropriate bodies to rise to the occasion.

Some days back, hundreds of concerned women in the State took to the streets of Benin City to protest the ongoing cult-related killings that have claimed several lives in the past two months.

Clad in black and wielding placards, the women gathered at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Chapter, where they called on the state government, traditional institutions, religious bodies, and security agencies to intensify efforts to end the violence.

One of the leaders of the protest, Gloria Ojo, delivered a letter titled

“Appeal for Peace and Unity in Edo State,” urging leaders to act swiftly to halt the senseless killings.

As a follow up to this, Ode-Idahosa said in the statement, “We the Nigerians and Edos in Diaspora , humbly beg and urge your Excellency to intervene immediately in the escalating violence and senseless killings of our youths in Edo State.

“To de-escalate and put an end to it with immediate effect..

“The continuous loss of young lives has left families shattered, communities traumatized, and our future threatened on a daily basis.

“Youths in diaspora can’t come home for festivities.Businesses have been slowing slowing down due to the tension in the entire Edo state as a result of the violent killings, individuals living in Edo state have left, making business ownership to suffer a great loss as well.We implore you to take decisive action immediately to:

“Investigate and bring perpetrators to justice.

“Increase security presence and patrols in vulnerable areas.

“Provide support and logistics protection for victims’ families.

“Address underlying causes of violence and work towards lasting solutions.

“We as Edolites in Diaspora are pleading for your prompt attention to this crisis that has brought about perpetual fear to the safety, security and well-being of our youths. Their lives matter to us as their future is our collective responsibility.”

The statement called on the State governor to provide a level-field ground for Edo youths,

“We are pleading with the executive governor of Edo state, to create job opportunities for the youth of Edo state by engaging them in meaningful activities that can bring prosperity and success.”