For any economy to thrive, safety must come before prosperity. In Edo State, Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has made this principle the cornerstone of his administration, placing security at the heart of governance and economic revival.
Through decisive leadership, strong legislation, improved logistics, manpower expansion and coordinated enforcement, the administration is confronting violent crimes that once undermined public confidence and stifled business growth.
Before the inauguration of the Okpebholo administration, Edo State, particularly Benin City, was grappling with an alarming surge in cult-related violence. Credible security records indicated that over 300 cult-related killings occurred in 2024 alone, throwing communities into fear and severely disrupting social and economic life.
The magnitude of the violence was unprecedented. Businesses shut down early, night-time commercial activities collapsed, and many investors adopted a wait-and-see posture.
This grim reality prompted Governor Okpebholo to elevate security to a top priority under his SHINE Agenda, recognising that no meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of fear and lawlessness.
To confront the crisis, the administration reinforced and passed the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law of 2025, a tough legal framework designed to dismantle cult networks and deter violent crimes.
The law prescribes severe penalties for cult membership, sponsorship and the use of properties for criminal activities, empowering security agencies to act decisively.
Backing the law is the Edo State Special Security Squad, code-named Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists, a coordinated security initiative aimed at reclaiming communities and restoring peace across the state.
At the centre of the security offensive is the Edo State Task Force, a multi-agency unit coordinated by the Commissioner for Public Security and Safety, working closely with the Chairman of the Task Force. This leadership structure has ensured effective intelligence gathering, swift response and seamless collaboration among security agencies.
In addition, Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists is strategically coordinated by the Principal Security Officer (PSO) and the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor, ensuring direct oversight, rapid decision-making and alignment with the governor’s security directives.
Under this coordinated command, the task force has recorded major breakthroughs, including the arrest of notorious cultists and kidnapping syndicates; dismantling of criminal hideouts across the state; demolition of buildings linked to cultism and kidnapping; apprehension of suspects involved in kidnapping for human organ harvesting; and the rescue of victims and seizure of dangerous weapons.
These operations have sent a clear and uncompromising message that Edo State will no longer provide a safe haven for violent criminals.
Beyond policy and enforcement, Governor Okpebholo has matched resolve with resources. Within the first year of his administration, the governor approved and delivered significant security assets to enhance operational effectiveness across the state.
These include over 400 motorcycles deployed to security agencies to improve rapid response, patrols and access to difficult terrain; more than 80 Hilux patrol vehicles to boost mobility, visibility and response capability across urban and rural areas; and ongoing processes to acquire multifunctional surveillance drones to strengthen intelligence gathering and monitor flashpoints.
In addition, the governor recruited, trained and absorbed 2,500 officers into the Edo State Security Corps, significantly expanding security manpower and strengthening community-level policing and intelligence.
These combined investments have greatly improved the reach, speed and effectiveness of security operations statewide.
Operation Flush Out Kidnappers and Cultists has helped restore calm in areas once known for violent clashes and criminal activity. With sustained patrols, intelligence-led raids, improved logistics and visible enforcement, communities are gradually reclaiming their streets.
The impact on the business environment has been immediate and tangible. Traders now operate for longer hours without fear; transporters move goods more freely across major routes; artisans and small business owners have resumed normal operations; and investors are reassessing Edo State as a safer destination for investment. As fear recedes, economic activity is steadily finding its rhythm once again.
Perhaps the strongest validation of Edo State’s improving security and investment climate came recently during a courtesy visit to the Government House, Benin City, by the management team of Presco PLC, led by its Chairman, Mr Rasheed Sarumi.
During the visit, Mr Sarumi announced a new $100 million foreign direct investment (FDI) by SIAT and its parent company into Presco’s operations in Edo State.
He described the investment as historic and the first of its kind in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, noting that the improved security environment and the governor’s clear commitment to stability played a key role in the decision.
The announcement stands as a powerful endorsement of the Okpebholo administration’s security-first strategy and its direct impact on investor confidence.
Governor Okpebholo’s decision to prioritise security under the SHINE Agenda reflects a clear understanding that peace is the foundation of progress. By confronting cultism, kidnapping, cybercrime and organ-harvesting crimes head-on, and backing enforcement with logistics, manpower and technology, the administration is tackling the root causes of economic stagnation.
A secure environment encourages enterprise, attracts investment and restores public trust in governance. For Edo State, this renewed sense of safety is translating into increased commercial activity and an improved quality of life for residents.
While the fight against crime is ongoing, the direction is unmistakable. Edo State is moving from a period of fear to one of confidence, driven by strong leadership, coordinated security operations and sustained investment in security infrastructure.
Governor Okpebholo’s security-first approach is proving that when government takes decisive action to safeguard lives and property, prosperity naturally follows—and Edo State’s business environment is already beginning to reflect that transformation.
