₦airaland Forum

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has issued a blunt warning to criminals operating in the state: those who persist in crime will face prosecution, and he will personally sign their execution warrant.

Okpebholo made the declaration on Thursday during a parade of suspects at the Edo State Police Command headquarters in Benin City, where he also rewarded officers who arrested a suspect linked to Sunday’s kidnapping at the Vegetable Market.

“We are going to set up a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists. Within two weeks, the court is done with proceedings. I will sign your execution. We will take you to the Ring Road roundabout so that Edo people can watch. I will have no regret about it. Don’t take my simplicity for granted,” the governor said.

Governor Okpebholo said he acted swiftly after the Sunday incident, immediately directing the Commissioner of Police to ensure the perpetrators were caught. One suspect was subsequently arrested, one was neutralised during the operation, and two others remain at large.

“They will never find peace in Edo. The message to all criminals is that they will not go free after committing a crime in this state. You will be arrested. We are ready for you and your sponsors. We are working day and night to make sure this land is safe,” he said.

The governor also pushed back against criticism of the federal government’s handling of security, arguing that the results being recorded on the ground are evidence that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is funding security operatives effectively.

“I wonder why people keep complaining that the president is not working. The president is funding the security operatives to function well. That is why we are happy about the results we are getting today,” Okpebholo said.

He appealed to Edo residents to steer clear of criminal activity, saying it is cheaper to live within one’s means than to gamble one’s life on crime.

Also, Speaking on Wednesday at the 2026 Ministers’ Conference organised by the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benin City, Okpebholo said insecurity remained a genuine concern.

The governor cited a recent report of an incident along Sapele Road that prompted him to deploy security operatives, only to discover “nothing had happened”.

“Our people are now going outside Edo to recruit criminals to help them do the job. They will kidnap somebody and hand the victim over to them in the bush,” Okpebholo said.

“Tomorrow you will see them driving expensive cars and building houses. How are they getting these things? They will tell you they are Yahoo Boys,” he added.

Okpebholo urged religious leaders not to intercede for anyone arrested in connection with criminal activity.

“Pastors, if you hear that I have arrested somebody, don’t come to beg me,” he told the congregation.

While acknowledging that Edo was “not entirely free of security challenges”, the governor insisted the situation was being exaggerated by those with political motives.

“All of this is just to bring this government down, to give it a bad name. It is not that we are free, but not in the way they are hyping it,” he said.

He assured residents that security operatives were working round the clock to prevent criminals from establishing a foothold in the state.

The governor also requested a special prayer for President Bola Tinubu, saying the President’s removal of the fuel subsidy, though painful, was responsible for the development now visible across Edo State.

Some of the clergymen in their remarks commended the governor for his commitment to faith and public service and prayed that he would complete his tenure strong and leave Edo better than he met it. They also praised him for the ongoing rehabilitation of the Benin-Sapele Road.

Richtaiwo:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.channelstv.com/2026/06/18/okpebholo-threatens-death-warrant-for-criminals-rewards-police-over-vegetable-market-kidnap-arrest/&ved=2ahUKEwjr29_mnKOVAxWuTkEAHfMCCJIQFnoECDcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0L19i95hq6-3GTbZQJH0Wl

Richtaiwo:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.channelstv.com/2026/06/18/okpebholo-threatens-death-warrant-for-criminals-rewards-police-over-vegetable-market-kidnap-arrest/&ved=2ahUKEwjr29_mnKOVAxWuTkEAHfMCCJIQFnoECDcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0L19i95hq6-3GTbZQJH0Wl

“We are going to set up a special court to prosecute kidnappers and cultists. Within two weeks, the court is done with proceedings. I will sign your execution. We will take you to the Ring Road roundabout so that Edo people can watch. I will have no regret about it. Don’t take my simplicity for granted,” the governor said.