Crime is complex and difficult most times to be resolved, criminals ready to carry out their nefarious and clandestine activities unchecked because the State lacks the capabilities to check their activities due to lack of technology.
Several criminal elements go unchecked and their activities have gradually become a normal way of life as they allegedly make money from their evil acts, live large in the society, their activities has influenced the youths negatively as they emulate their lifestyle.
Nigerians especially the younger generation now gradually see crime and criminality as a way of life and the route out of poverty as criminals go most times unchallenged by the system, hence a rise in crime.
Kidnapping, banditotry, terrorism, robbery became the order of the day as successive administration fought to curtail criminal elements across the Country and the fight is yielding positive results as the scourge is being depleted and our dignity gradually being restored as Nigerians.
Governor Monday Okpebholo came into governance prepared, and steps taken in the last one year and eight months are deliberate, particularly working hard to improve the security of lives and properties in Edo State.
‘Akpakomisa’ as the governor is popularly called has laid the template of development through the SHINE agenda which he is using to change the narrative of the Edo people, acknowledging the rise in crime rate but courageous enough to fight the scourge to a stand still.
He acknowledged that security is critical for development and his administration is determined to improve security in the State and established “The Edo State Special Security Squad codenamed “Operation flush out Kidnappers and Cultists” appointed a leader of the group who is also his Principal Security Officer (PSO) with the mandate to restore peace and order ensuring Edo is free from crime, criminality and banditotry, particularly cultism and kidnapping.
The government targeted property seizures, sealing and demolishing properties, buildings, and hideouts used by cultists or their sponsors across Edo State, taking the fight to criminals and ensuring the State is no longer a safe haven for criminality.
For the first time in several years in Edo State, the streets are calm, society peaceful especially during celebration period. Establishing the mandate given by the governor, the squad carried out the mandate judiciously ensuring no one was victimized.
The results of several operations led by the PSO ensure there was no more blood in the streets across the State, families no longer mourn neither do parents, wives, brothers and sisters grieve over loss of loved ones as a result of violent attack from kidnapping or cultism.
The Okpebholo led administration took decisive steps to punish the offenders of kidnapping and cultism as the legislative arm of the government supporting the fight and the governor assenting to the law showing the commitment and seriousness of the administration.
A look at the law shows that death penalty awaits convicted kidnappers and cultists responsible for killings as they face execution by hanging, with the governor vowing to sign death warrants.
Jail term for Sponsors: Financial or material backers of cult groups receive 21 years in prison without an option of a fine.
Harboring Criminals: Landlords or property owners who shelter cultists or permit cult activities get 10 years in prison.
Property Demolition: Buildings, houses, and hideouts used by kidnappers or cultists are seized and demolished by the State government.
Gov Okpebholo on July 1, 2026 set up a special court in Benin City (Special Criminal Court One) to fast-track trials to speed up the prosecution of kidnapping and cultism cases within two to three weeks with strict state penalties.
Public Warning: The government has sealed several criminal hideouts and warned residents to be careful who they rent properties to, as enforcement continues across the state.
Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South Senatorial Districts have felt the impact of the Okpebholo boys searching, raiding and arresting criminals, bringing criminality to its knees ensuring the State is safe for all to live and do business.
The Security team has stormed hideout of kidnappers, cultists across the State, breaking kidnapping syndicates, arresting kingpins of dangerous gangs, shattering cultists gathering and operations to recover weapons of their evil trades and properties linked to their crimes demolished without any sentiment attached, sending a warning signal that Edo is no longer safe for criminals.
The streets and communities in Uromi, Irrua, Auchi, Aviele, Iyanomo, Uzebu, Ekenwan, Goodwill, Ogbe Ibuya, Plymouth, Uselu Shell, Okhoro, Ugbowo, Ekosodin, Oluku, Siluko, Amagba and across the three Senatorial Districts of the State has felt the impact of Governor Okpebholo’s determination to keep Edo safe.
The squad and other security agencies including the Police, Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) Edo State Security Corp, local vigilante and hunters embarked on several successful operations while the face and spokes person for the team Noah Idemudia always briefed the media informing the world of the success, challenges, difficulties faced at each operations.
The various operations embarked on by the security squad underscore the determination, zeal and commitment of the Governor Okpebholo led administration to stamp out kidnapping, cultism and other violent crimes across Edo State.
