The passing out parade of 1,472 members of the Corps, who were trained by the Nigerian Army.

By Jethro Ibileke

Determined to fight insecurity to a standstill, the Edo State Government has reorganised and restructured the State Security Corps.

The State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, disclosed this at the passing out parade of 1,472 members of the Corps, who were trained by the Nigerian Army.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa, noted that the two-week training instilled professionalism into the members, with a view to collaborating with security agencies to fight criminality in the State.

He noted that activities of the former Corps were politicised and lacked professionalism, hence the decision to reorganise and restructure the Corps.

“Regrettably, activities of the former Corps were politicised, and it lacked professionalism. Hence, I decided to reorganise and restructure the Corps to meet set objectives,” he said.

Okpebholo, who thanked the Nigerian Army for training the Corps, noted that it demonstrated his government’s seriousness in combating criminality and making the state safe for all.

According to the Governor, security is one of the key elements of his administration’s five-point agenda. He noted that the State Government established the Edo State Security Corps, backed by the Edo State Security Corps Governance Law 2024, to assist the police in intelligence gathering and low-level operations to combat crime.

He expressed his administration’s concern over security challenges in the state, noting that existing security agencies were overstretched. He said the Edo State Security Corps was established to provide support to the police and other sister security agencies.

In his remark, the Chairman of the reorganising committee of Edo State Security Corps, Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd), who was represented by Major Gen. Victor Ebhaleme (rtd), said the organisation and training of the Corps is to ensure they are more effective and efficient in the performance of their duties.

“The training commenced on the 22nd of May 2025, and personnel recruited were drawn from 13 local government areas which cut across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State,” he said.

Gen. Esekhaigbe added that the Corps is not trained to operate alone but to support other sister security agencies, ensuring peace in the state.

“With this training, the Corps is ready to support other security agencies to combat crimes and other security challenges,” he said.

The governor said his administration has established a management board to oversee the affairs of the Corps to promote discipline and welfare.

“We expect a high level of discipline and performance during and after the rigorous training,” he said.

The governor also noted that the activities of the Corps would be highly monitored, and profiling is ongoing to identify those who are fit to serve in the Corps.

“Your activities are highly monitored, and profiling is ongoing to know those who are good to serve in the corps,” he said.

The training of the Edo State Security Corps is a significant milestone in the Corps’ drive for a safe state. The Corps has been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to support sister security agencies in combating crimes and other security challenges.

The passing out parade of the newly reorganised Edo State Security Corps marks a new beginning for the Corps as it has been restructured to meet the demands of complex security emergencies, and is expected to make a significant impact in the state’s security landscape.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Commander of 4 Bridge Nigeria Army Benin, members of the reorganising committee, and the acting chairman of Ovia North East Local Government Area.