Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has alleged that some Edo residents now travel to a certain part of Nigeria to recruit criminals for kidnapping, armed robbery, and other crimes in the state. Mr. Okpebholo stated this while addressing participants at the 2026 Ministers’ Conference, organized by the Edo Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Wednesday in Benin.
Governor's Remarks on Insecurity
According to him, the gathering was to discuss insecurity in Edo and Nigeria. He said most of the reports on social media regarding insecurity are false. He recounted receiving a report about an incident along Sapele Road and directing security to immediately storm the area, only to discover it was untrue.
Allegations of Criminal Recruitment
“Our people now recruit criminals to help them do the job. They will kidnap somebody and hand over to the people in the bush. Tomorrow you will see them driving expensive cars, building houses. How are they getting these things? They will tell you they are Yahoo Boys. They are this, they are that. If you hear that we have arrested somebody, don’t come to beg me.”
He noted that some reports on insecurity are merely attempts to bring this government down or give it a bad name. “It’s not that there is no insecurity, but false alarms are another issue in this country,” he added.
Security Measures and Prayer Request
The governor said volunteers are now positioned in the forests to ensure criminals do not settle in Edo. He requested a special prayer for President Bola Tinubu, noting that the president’s decision on fuel subsidy removal was necessary and is the reason behind the infrastructural development currently ongoing across Edo.
Other Speakers
Also speaking, Margaret Agbonifo, a pastor and chairperson of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria in Edo, lauded the governor for his commitment to the work of God and appreciated God for Nigeria. “Nigeria is alive today is to the glory of God. Thank God for showing us mercy. The enemy doesn’t want to hear the name Nigeria again, but by the mercy of God, we shall overcome all our current challenges,” she said.
Ms. Agbonifo prayed that insurgency would not bring the country to an end, and that Mr. Okpebholo would finish strong and leave Edo better than he met it. “You will be the best among all the governors that have ruled Edo. You will not fail. The Lord will strengthen you. Edo will not tell a bad story about you,” she added.
Another speaker, Alfred Agbonlahor, a cleric and vice chairman of CAN in Edo, commended the governor for the ongoing construction work on the Benin-Sapele Road.
