The attack and killing of three policemen and the kidnap of Andy Ehanire, Chief Executive Officer, of one of Nigeria’s cultural and tourist assets, Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park, September 24, has been of grave concern to Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
The governor is seeking audience with President Muhammadu Buhari on ways out of similar occurrence in the future. His meeting with the president would discuss the restructuring of Edo State Police Command. Obaseki told journalists in Benin that the restructuring would help his administration curb crimes and improve security network in the State.
Obaseki said Edo State has not had such incident for a long time and described it as unfortunate. His words: As we move toward the end of the year, this kind of occurrence is not unusual, but we have taken necessary steps to stop such”.
Nigerian government through the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed said it the incident was “saddening, condemnable and most unfortunate”. He added that the attack on one of the country’s foremost tourist destinations was a big blow to on-going efforts to lift the tourism sector in the country.
Lai Mohammed said: “The success or failure of a tourism destination depends largely on a safe and secure environment. Incidences such as the attack on the Ogba Zoo and Nature Park, therefore, negate the concept of tourism as well as government’s determination to develop our tourism industry as a tool for socio-economic development.”
Nigeria’s cultural and tourism assets are regarded as some of the best in the world. The country has unique cultural heritage and tourist attractions that are capable of contributing enormously to the country’s economic growth. A holiday trip to Nigeria on tourism, a country of 36 states federation and capital in Abuja would be desirable venture.
