…over 3,574 operatives trained in first three phases of training programme

The Edo State Government has commenced a 10-day intensive training for over 1,500 operatives of the Edo State Security Vigilante Network (ESSVN) as part of efforts to beef up the State’s security architecture and bolster efforts at combating crime in the State.

The training is the third batch of over 1,500 men and women cut across the three senatorial districts of the State to be trained on weapons handling and intelligence gathering, among others.

Speaking to journalists at the Police Training School in Ogida Barracks, the Coordinator of ESSVN, Col. Kole Omomia (rtd) said over 3,574 operatives of the security network have so far been trained in the first three phases of the training programme.

According to him, 574 ESSVN and hunters were trained during the first batch from Edo North and 1,500 persons were trained from two senatorial districts, Edo South and Central during the second batch.

Noting that another batch of 1500 operatives is being trained in the third phase of the training programme, Omomia said, “It's a 10 days intensive training. We are making sure that our operatives are well-trained and equipped to improve our security architecture in the State.

“The training is as directed by the Governor of Edo State to ensure a peaceful and secure State. A lot of activities will take place as profiling will be carried out on all trainees. We will adequately document them to ensure they are from Edo State and they will go through medical tests to ensure that they are fit for the training.”

He further noted, “The level of synergy between our sister agencies has been very cordial. We have good working relationships with the Army, Air Force, Police, Immigration, DSS, NDLEA and others. We had no issue with any of them as we work in peace and collaborate to ensure that the State is safe for all.

“We are working with other security agencies to boost the morale of our men as we have our core values in ESSVN which is discipline, loyalty, integrity and selfless service. This is a community-based security architecture. They have been selected from their various local governments and the various Chairmen have input before the list was sent to us.

“All the trainees will go through medical fitness and anyone that fails to pass the medicals will be edged out as there is no age limit. Our men must be fit and able to help collaborate with other sister security agencies to reduce crime to the barest minimum, ensuring that the State is safe for all.

The coordinator added, “We have the intelligent unit of ESSVN that ensures information and intelligence gathering to boost the performance of our men. We arrest, profile, and feed on information from the profiling to write our report before handing over criminals to the police.

“We will continue to train them as there are more batches of training programmes to come. The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has done well in terms of security and this has made the State a destination for investors.”