Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has attributed the surge in kidnapping cases in the state to criminal elements brought in from other parts of Nigeria. Speaking on Wednesday at the 2026 Ministers’ Conference organized by the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benin City, the governor said these external recruits are working with local collaborators who arrange kidnap-for-ransom operations and hand over victims to hired gangs in the bush.
Governor Dismisses Social Media Exaggerations
Okpebholo acknowledged that insecurity remains a genuine concern but argued that much of the information circulating on social media about the situation in Edo is false and deliberately orchestrated to discredit his administration. He gave an example of a recent report about an incident along Sapele Road, where he immediately deployed security operatives only to discover that nothing had happened.
“Do you know one funny thing — 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,” the governor 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.”
Appeal to Religious Leaders
The governor urged religious leaders not to intercede on behalf of anyone arrested in connection with criminal activity, stating that such interventions would not be entertained. “Pastors, if you hear that I have arrested somebody, don’t come to beg me,” he said.
While admitting that the state is not entirely free of security challenges, Okpebholo insisted that the situation is 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.
Security Efforts and Praise
He assured residents that security operatives are working round the clock to prevent criminals from establishing a foothold in the state. In her remarks, Pastor Margaret Agbonifo commended the governor for his commitment to faith and public service, praying that he would complete his tenure strong and leave Edo better than he met it. Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of CAN in Edo, Rev. Alfred Agbonlahor, praised the governor for the ongoing rehabilitation of the Benin-Sapele Road.
