On September 13, 2024, an X user (formerly Twitter) uploaded a video with the caption “Just in: Federal Government Ban Edo State Vigilante”
According to the 2:49 seconds long video, the Federal Government has banned the vigilante groups in the state and all their activities ahead of the governorship election.
Claim: FG bans vigilante in Edo State
Verification:
On September 12, 2024, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun announced that no private or state-owned security organization would be permitted to operate during and after the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. The IGP made the announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin City.
He added that “all local security groups in Edo State should refrain from participating in the election. The activities of the Edo State Security Network are suspended and will remain so.”
However, the Edo State government has challenged that announcement by the IGP. They argued that it is unconstitutional for the IGP to make such a declaration, insisting that the ESSN is a body set up by law passed by the Edo state house of assembly”.
Verdict: TRUE
The Federal Government has banned all local security operatives ahead of the governorship election in Edo state. Hence, the Vigilante group is part of the ESSN and falls under the category of local security operatives.
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