Governor Okpebholo Warns Criminals: Vows to Drive Them Out of Edo State

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared that criminals will have no hiding place in Edo State under his administration.

This was contained in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, and made available to journalists.

The Governor made the declaration while commissioning over 300 motorbikes for distribution across the state’s three senatorial districts to strengthen security operations.

The commissioning ceremony, held at the Government House in Benin City, was attended by top security and government officials, including the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika; Commander of the 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Oduyebo; and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Gani Audu, among others.

Governor Okpebholo explained that the motorbikes are specifically intended to help security agencies gain access to difficult terrains, especially forest areas often used as hideouts by criminal elements.

“We promised during the campaign to tackle insecurity and restore peace across Edo State. Today, we are fulfilling that promise. These bikes will be deployed across the senatorial districts and will enable security agencies to reach areas inaccessible to vehicles,” the Governor said.

He added: “Let me be clear—criminals must leave Edo State. These motorbikes, alongside other security technologies we are deploying, will make it extremely difficult for them to operate. Beyond equipping the system, we are ensuring proper maintenance of these bikes so they remain in use.”

Commissioner of Police, CP Monday Agbonika, described the initiative as a “new dawn” in Edo’s security drive, particularly in combating forest-based crimes such as kidnapping.

“This is a great day in our fight against crime. With these motorbikes, we can now penetrate deep into the forests where criminals hide. The era of impunity is over,” Agbonika said.

He also urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible information to aid crime prevention and investigations.

In a related development, Governor Okpebholo commissioned heavy-duty equipment, including bulldozers, low-bed trucks, and tractors, to strengthen the operational capacity of the Edo State Waste Management Board.

The initiative, according to the Governor, is aimed at creating a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.

Criticizing the practices of the previous administration, he said: “Over N50 million was spent monthly on renting caterpillars for waste management. That was unsustainable. These machines were purchased outright with Edo people’s money for their use, not for enriching consultants or contractors.”

Managing Director of the Edo State Waste Management Board, Lucky Enehita-Inegbeneh, hailed the Governor’s intervention, describing it as a major leap in environmental sanitation.

“With these new machines, we now have the capacity and capability to clean Edo more effectively. It shows that the Governor truly cares about the welfare of the people,” he said.

Governor Okpebholo’s twin interventions in security and environmental management mark a decisive step toward building a safer, cleaner, and more efficient Edo State.

As security agencies prepare to strengthen their operations and the waste management board boosts its capacity, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to practical leadership and results-driven governance.