Tag: Okpebholo

The House of Representatives has lauded Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for establishing a Joint Security Task Force to tackle insecurity across the state.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Henry Odianose Okojie (APC, Edo), the House called for the establishment of a military base in Uromi to assist the Joint Task Force in addressing the challenge of insecurity in the area for the benefit of the people.

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The house also asked the government to direct the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant agencies, to “Conduct an intensive investigation to curb these nefarious activities, and foster synergy among the security agencies and relevant stakeholders to effectively address the trend of insecurity in Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency, Edo State.”

The House of Representatives has commended the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo for the establishing a Joint Security Taskforce to tackle the worsening insecurity across the state.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Henry Odianose Okojie (APC, Edo), the House called for the establishment of a military base in Uromibto assist the Joint at ask Force in addressing the challenge of insecurity in the area for the benefit of the people.

The House also asked the Government to direct the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant agencies, to “Conduct an intensive investigation to curb these nefarious activities, and foster synergy among the security agencies and relevant stakeholders to effectively address the trend of insecurity in Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency, Edo State.

It further mandated its Committees on Defence, Army, National Security and Intelligence, Police and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative actions.

The Joint taskforce Code named Operation Rescue has been empowered by the Edo state government through the provision of security vehicles and other gadgets as well as the restructuring of the Edo State Security Corps to strengthen community-based security measures across the state.

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Okojie said the initiative includes the purchase and empowerment of security vehicles and other gadgets across the State, as well as the restructuring of the Edo State Security Corps to strengthen community-based security measures which have started yielding positive results.

“The House urged the Federal Government through the Defence Headquarters to establish a military base in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area to enhance security presence and response capabilities in the region.”

Citing Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution which provides for that primary purpose of government, the lamented that crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, rape and cult-related killings “Are now reported almost daily, necessitating serious and tactical operations to stem the situation.

“The level of insecurity in Esan North East and Esan South East Federal Constituency of Edo State has reached a critical juncture, with persistent and increasing incidents of killings, kidnappings and other forms of violence.”

He expressed saddeness by the increasing rate of insecurity and the situation has become unbearable, adding that this has caused constituents to live in fear, experience psychological trauma, and suffer a significant decline in their overall sense of security. Numerous people have been killed, and their mutilated bodies have been recovered, showing signs of organ harvesting. 

He said, “We are deeply saddened by the recent increase in the number of victims, including Mr Sylvester and his mother, Mr Kingsley Okoboh, Mr Odion Onobhoebhin, Mr Akhere, Mrs Magaret Akpa, Mr Monday Ikah, Mr Eboh, Mr Ehiabhili (the Chairman of the Tipper Drivers’ Association), Madam Sokoto, Miss Peace, Mr Eze, Seminarian Ephraim Akhere, Mr Victor and his wife, Mrs Samuel Inegbenebor,

“Others are Miss Faith (an undergraduate student who is still in the hospital), 16-year-old Becky (who remains traumatised after being raped and mishandled), and three youth corps members, among numerous others. It is pertinent to also mention that some of these victims were killed despite ransoms having been paid.”

According to him, the criminals operate predominantly along “the rail route from Uzea to Ugboha, Amedokhian, Udo, Eko-Ibadin, and Ubiaja to Ewohimi in the Esan North East/Esan South East Federal Constituency of Edo State, and have escalated their activities to include kidnapping people in their homes.”

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo yesterday berated the leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

He described the party as being ill and on life support, with PDP’s chieftains gasping for relevance.

He noted that Edo PDP had become the political equivalent of a broken-down car, which was abandoned by its driver, after years of reckless driving.

Okpebholo, through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, in a statement, said Edo PDP was a shadow of its former self, a factionalised, internally-battered and directionless entity.

He said: “Instead of seeking redemption, Edo PDP leaders have resorted to aimless wailing against a government that is steadily gaining the trust of the people.

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“Much like a drowning man flailing in the waters of irrelevance, PDP is desperately grasping at anything that gives the illusion of political survival.

“Their latest antics, rather than winning them public sympathy, only reinforce the obvious: Edo PDP is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), gasping for air, and rather than battling for survival, its leaders are wasting their dwindling oxygen on unproductive tantrums.

“PDP is not just a sick party on life support, it is also a party suffering from terminal political irrelevance. The faction-ridden and scandal-infested remnants of what was once a ruling party has now been reduced to a collection of desperate voices clinging to lies, propaganda and outright misinformation, in a last-ditch effort to remain in public discourse.”

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has vowed to bring to justice those responsible for the February 21, 2025, killings in seven communities of Ovia Southwest Local Government Area.

During an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities yesterday, Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in the region.

To prevent future attacks, the governor pledged to facilitate the establishment of a police outpost in the area, enhancing security and response capabilities.

He emphasized that peace and security remain his top priorities, assuring residents that no crime will go unpunished under his leadership.

Edo governor said: “From the testimonies I have heard and the investigations conducted, these are criminals who invade your farms to steal the crops you have laboured for. As a government, we will go after them. I assure you that you will live here in peace. Our actions will prove that lasting peace is coming. 

“No individual should be more powerful than an entire community—burning houses and killing people, just to steal farm produce. Wherever they are hiding, we will hunt them down, bring them to justice, and ensure that peace prevails.”

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Okpebholo equally urged the residents of the area to remain calm, and not take the law into their own hands, while assuring them of government’s intervention. 

He said: “I understand your pain, but I urge you to take heart. Do not fight anyone or resort to violence. Maintain the peace, as you have been doing. I assure you that we will work here, so you can feel the presence of the government and experience real development. 

“We have already deployed soldiers n the area, and we now have three additional Operation Rescue patrol vehicles to support them. Once I return to Benin, I will liaise with Edo Commissioner of Police to expedite the establishment of a police outpost here, so as to ensure sustained security.”

In furtherance of his peace efforts, Edo governor also met with leaders and members of Gbelebe, a neighbouring Ijaw community, where he sued for harmony and assured them of government support. 

He said: “My core mission as Edo governor is to restore peace and bring development. Without peace, there can be no progress. These killings and conflicts must stop. 

“This is a large community with no roads and no electricity, and yet, instead of focusing on development, criminality persists. 

“I assure you that my administration will gradually bring meaningful development here.”

Leaders from Madoti and Gbelebe communities recounted that the crisis erupted when hoodlums attempted to steal farm produce from farmers in Madoti’s farm settlements, but were confronted by a newly-formed local vigilance group.

The leaders lamented the long-standing menace of farm theft and pleaded with Okpebholo to intensify efforts in protecting lives and property, as well as to ensure that farmers could work without fear of attack.

The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has threatened to sack non-performing contractors who are handling projects across Edo.

He asked the contractors to step up and work according to specifications and agreed timelines or risk termination of their contracts.

Okpebholo, who gave the charge on Wednesday when he inspected some roads and drainage projects in Edo, expressed displeasure over the execution rates.

He specifically frowned on the slow pace of work on the Orior-Ozolua community road, with residents complaining that the contractor was not always on site.

The Edo governor and his entourage inspected the ongoing road and drainage projects at Orior-Ozolua, Orior Uteh Palace Road, New Uteh Road Ekiuwa Quarters and Upper Ekenhuan open drain by Nigeria Army Cantonment, among others.

The jubilant crowds that received Okpebholo and his entourage in all the project sites visited thanked him for remembering them, stating that the last administration of Godwin Obaseki forgot about their existence, while praying for the success of Okpebholo and his administration.

At Orior-Ozolua in the Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo, Mr. Sylvester Igbinovia complained about the slow pace of work by the contractor handling the road and drainage projects.

Igbinovia said: “Mr. Governor, this contractor is just too slow on this job. They close before 2 p.m. when they are on site, but most times, they are not on site.

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“They are here today, your Excellency; I am sure they know that you are coming; that is why they are here today.”

Edo governor, who inspected the thickness of the drainage at Orior-Ozolua, was displeased that the contractor did not meet project specifications, and instructed him to do the right thing or have his contract revoked.

He said, “Why did you reduce the width of the drain? You reduced it on both sides. Look at my face. If you are not doing the right thing and not working according to specifications, I can revoke the contract any moment without fear or favour.”

Okpebholo also stated that he wanted the contractors working for Edo state government to do quality jobs, while noting that the funds for the capital-intensive and people-oriented projects belonged to Edo people and must be utilised effectively and efficiently to move the state forward.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has expressed dissatisfaction with the criticisms leveled against his administration’s handling of insecurity by the Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Chris Nehikhare.

In a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo accused Nehikhare of making baseless and misleading claims out of desperation.

“Our attention has been drawn to yet another reckless, misleading, and baseless statement from Chris Osa Nehikhare, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee,” Itua said. 

“His latest piece is nothing short of a desperate, fear-mongering diatribe designed to mislead Edo people, scare off potential investors, and distract from the undeniable security progress being made under Governor Okpebholo’s administration.”

“For clarity, Edo State is not, and will never be, the so-called ‘capital of kidnapping and violent crimes,’ as Nehikhare maliciously claims. This is a dishonest fabrication from a party, which time in power was marked by gross incompetence, abject failure, and outright surrender to criminals.

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“If anyone should be silent on security matters, it is the PDP. Under the watch of the PDP, cultists took over Edo State, leaving over 100 people dead in a wave of attacks, with the then Governor, Godwin Obaseki, admitting that he was helpless and overwhelmed. 

“The security architecture in Edo was further crippled by neglect, with Obaseki’s government procuring second-hand, and unfit sienna vehicles that failed to serve their purpose. Vigilance groups and local security outfits were abandoned with the PDP government, making no provision for the renumeration.

“The total collapse of security under the Obaseki-led PDP government reached its zenith, when Edo Chairman of the party (PDP), Anthony Aziegbemi, was brazenly kidnapped in the heart of the city—GRA, Benin. This shocking incident exposed the PDP’s utter helplessness and inability to protect even its own leaders, let alone the people of Edo State.”

CPS to Edo governor also described as laughable, the decision of Nehikhare, the immediate Commissioner for Communication and Orientation in the state, and a man who defended the catastrophic failure of the PDP government, was now shedding crocodile tears over insecurity. 

He said: “The same PDP-led government in Edo abandoned security, allowed cultists to take over the state, and openly admitted helplessness, as killings skyrocketed. Edo people have not forgotten that it was under PDP’s watch that security in the state completely collapsed, forcing citizens to live in fear.

“Governor Okpebholo’s security vote is being prudently utilised for the protection of lives and property, not squandered like in the past. Edo people are seeing the difference already—security agencies have been strengthened, kidnappers are being flushed out, and criminals no longer have a free hand to operate.

“Obaseki government, despite all its noise, could not apprehend the kidnappers, proving that they had completely lost control of the state’s security architecture. Yet, today, the same PDP leader dares to question a government that has taken bold steps to reverse the mess they created?”

Itua also stated that unlike the PDP’s years of excuses and failures, Okpebholo hit the ground running, implementing concrete and strategic measures to secure the state.