By Igbotako Nowinta, Alltimepost.com Nigeria Bureau Chief
[dropcap]E[/dropcap]do State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs rose from a meeting today at the Palace of the Oba of Benin, with a resolution calling for the establishment of Neighborhood Watch and Vigilante Group to help check the activities of cattle herdsmen and other security challenges in the state.The Chairman of the Council and the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II said when established it should not be used to advance any political course, but for the security of lives and property of the people.
The Omo N’Oba reminded members of the council that they must protect their people by helping the State Government and security agents with useful information that could lead to the tracking down of the evil acts of cattle herdsmen and other criminal elements in the society.
Ewuare II stated that cattle grazing should not be at the detriment of the welfare of the people, pointing out that the Vigilante should be used effectively in the various domains in Edo State.
It was also resolved that a registration of Hausa Fulani herdsmen should be carried out in the various domains, while there should be establishment of monitoring system for strangers.
The Council also harped on the need for all the security agents to be equipped with vehicles as well as surveillance drone, communication gadgets and helicopter for effective patrol and monitoring of the forest where the cattle herdsmen established their camps.
On the issue of human trafficking, the Benin Monarch told the traditional rulers that he would not want the menace of human trafficking to tarnish the cultural heritage of the people, pointing out that the Palace will keep on working internally to ensure that the pronouncement against human trafficking is effective, and urged the traditional rulers to do same in their domains as well as enlighten their people on the dangers of human trafficking.
At the meeting, the traditional rulers, and heads of security agencies in the state who attended the meeting took time to speak on the best approaches to tackle the problems posed by herdsmen and human trafficking in the state.
Contributing, Chief David Edebiri, the Esogban of Benin moved a motion endorsing the various steps taken so far by the Oba of Benin and Governor Godwin Obaseki concerning cattle herdsmen and the Libya returnees which was unanimously supported by members of the council.
