By Alltimepost.com
[dropcap]G[/dropcap]reat Benin King, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin has summoned an emergency meeting to discuss the issues of human trafficking, kidnapping and other security challenges in the state.According to a statement released by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor, during the week, the Benin Monarch has directed that the following categories of people attend the meeting, slated for Friday March 9, 2018 at 8: am in the Oba’s Palace:
1. All Senior and Junior Priests of Okhuaihe, referred to in Benin Language as IGIE-OHEN OKHUAIHE.
2. All Senior and Junior Priests of Ovia, referred to in Benin Language as OHEN-OVIA N’KHUA and N’KHERE.
3. All the Priests of Benin Traditional Religion in Iyekogba, referred to as OHEN-IYEKOGBA.
4. All the Priests of the Benin Traditional Religion in Isi, referred to as OHEN-AKE.
5. All the Priestesses of Benin Traditional Religion referred to as OHEN N’IKHUO.
6. All native doctors of different spiritual manifestations, referred to as OBO.
7. All Benin Chiefs.
8. All Enigie.
9. All Edionwere.
10. All other traditional religious groups recognised by the Palace that may wish to contribute their quota in the promotion of peace and development in the state.
11. The Director and officers of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).
12. All market women leaders.
It would be recalled that the two weeks ago, the Oba of Benin summoned a special security meeting to tackle the problems of cattle herdsmen, illegal migration and human trafficking, kidnapping and other criminal activities in Edo State.
The meeting was attended by the various heads of security agencies in the state, including the Police, the Army, the Directorate of State Security, the Immigration, Prisons and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp.
Others present were Enigie (Dukes), leaders of the Hausa, Fulani and Nupe communities in Edo State, as well as the Vice Chairman of the Edo State Council of Traditional rulers and Chiefs.
At that meeting, Oba Ewuare expressed worries over the activities of herdsmen, illegal migration and human trafficking, saying that since 2015 he had started putting plans together to tackle the problems.
The Omo N’Oba told the security chiefs that security challenges were disturbing the peace, tranquility and development of the state, hence the urgent need to find lasting solution to the problem.
Also at that meeting, a committee headed by the state commissioner of police, C.P. Johnson Kokumo was set up to help develop a template that would be used by the State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs in achieving the desired peace and tranquility in the state.
