Edo 2016: These Are the Violent Prone Areas

There are indications that trouble may likely breakout in some local government areas in Edo State on the September 10 governorship election in the state.

Security operatives have been alerted on the areas tagged ‘hot zones’, which may likely jeopardize peace and orderliness on the election.

According to a non-governmental organization, Cleen Foundation, the areas include:  Oredo, Egor, Igueben, Esan- Central, Etsako-West, and Orhiorwon. Those areas are classified as “Risk”, for the election.

Six other local government areas – Etsako East, Esan West, Esan South, Ovia South-West, Etsako-Central, and Akoko- Edo – were classified as “Medium risk”, while the remaining ones – Esan-North East, Owan-East, Ikpoba- Okha, Ovia North Ease, Owan West, and Uhunmwode – were listed as “Low risk”.

CLEEN said the risk analysis was done after talking with 783 respondents and experts, in all the 18 local government areas of the states, as well as analysing reports in the media.

The 14-page report identified the exposure of youth to light weapons, inciting speeches by politicians, late deployment of INEC staff and materials, and the possible failure of card readers, as factors that could likely spark off electoral violence, if not contained.